Fussy Eating In the Genes?

A University College of London study recruited 2,400 sets ot twins. The sample, naturally included both homozygous (identical) and heterozygous (non-identical) pairs. Both twin's parents completed questionnaires on their eating habits at 16 months, as well as 3, 5, 7 and 13 years of age. The study revealed that fussy eating (self-limiting the range of foods the children were willing to eat or even try) peaked around 7 years of age. Differences between identical and non-identical twins, suggested a strong genetic involvement (between 60 and 70+%). This study is likely to reassure parents, that they are not responsible for their children's fussy eating habits (https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/sep/20/fussy-eating-in-children-largely-down-to-genetics-research-shows). One has to comment that this kind of questionnaire report has limitations. It would not have been difficult for the parents to deduce (even if they hadn't been informed of this) that the study was about the relative contributions of nature and nurture to fussy eating. Some parents might not be totally 'honest' in their replies. Apparently, eating as a family and watching what others eat, are will reduce fussy eating.