Picky eating behavior in children is a constant issue for many of us parents and can be quite frustrating. The good news: it’s not your fault! At least not directly. A recent study shows that “picky eating” is primarily influenced by genes – and not by upbringing.
The results of the British Studywhich in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry was published based on data from over 2,400 families who were surveyed about their children’s eating habits. It found that picky eating really isn’t due to parenting.
But that doesn’t mean that we as parents are powerless. There are ways we can encourage our kids to try new foods and expand their taste palette. The study found that the genetic influence also depends on age: at 16 months it is 60%, and at 3 to 13 years it is 74% or more. Here is an overview of the most important findings:
Why are some children picky eaters?
A child’s ability to be a picky eater depends largely on their genes. The study shows that 60 to 74% of differences in eating behavior are due to genetic factors. This explains why some children try everything from a young age, while others refuse to try even a bite of broccoli.
When is the “peak phase” of picky eating?
Interestingly, children’s eating habits remain relatively constant on average from 16 months to 13 years. However, there is a slight peak in “picky eating” at the age of 7. After that, it slowly decreases. For us parents, that means: things are getting better again (or finally)!
What role does the environment play?
Although genes have the greatest influence on our eating habits, environment also plays an important role. Especially with young children, shared meals and family mealtime routines can make a difference.
In their teenage years, friends and peers gain influence: our kids eat what the others eat – in some families, this starts as early as primary school age.
How can we as parents still have an influence?
Even though genes play a big role, we as parents are not completely powerless. Of course, every child has their own individual preferences and we as parents have very different resources at our disposal. Here are some tips that also help us:
- Stay calm and keep offering different foods.
- It is best to eat meals together.
- Model healthy eating.
- Let kids help with shopping and cooking.
- Don’t put pressure on them, but lovingly encourage them to try.
- Focus on safe foods: Serve new foods with familiar favorites.
- Trust in our child’s feelings of hunger and satiety, because we want to build a long-term positive relationship with food.
And what do the experts say?
Dr. Alison Fildes, co-author of the study, emphasizes in the Guardian:
Although picky eating has a strong genetic component, that doesn’t mean it’s unchangeable. Parents can continue to support their children in eating a variety of foods – from infancy through adolescence.”
Dr. Alison Fildes
Shared experiences, such as eating at the family table, continue to have an influence on the kids. We parents therefore do not need to feel helpless and at the mercy of genes, says study leader Dr. Zeynap Nas, a behavioral geneticist at UCL (University College London): “Genetics is not destiny”:
Take a deep breath!
If you’re like us, this brand new study will give you a real sigh of relief. After all, the stress at the dinner table is often accompanied by a guilty conscience and worry about a nutrient deficiency, and it’s good to know that we have an influence, but that picky eating is also completely normal and age-appropriate. And that with patience, good example and a few tricks, we can continue to help our kids’ taste buds develop.
My favorite resources
I have also been dealing with the topic of picky eating with my two children for many years. I can particularly recommend (along with patience and lots of safe foods):
The podcast episode between US parenting legend Janet Lansbury and family therapist Ellyn Satter:
For great recipes the brilliant green cookbook by my colleague Charoline:
The green cookbook for children
Price may be higher now. Price as of 09/22/2024 10:06 p.m.
For extra vitamins the vegan bears from Wowtamins and Nature’s Way (two picky kids, two preferences)
wowtamins KIDS Complete
Price may be higher now. Price as of 09/22/2024 5:33 p.m.
Nature’s Way Multivitamin Gummies
Price may be higher now. Price as of 09/22/2024 6:14 p.m.
Jennifer Kober
For an extra portion of vitamins, it can help to buy fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables. Find out how to do it in the video.
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