According To Research, Food-Selected Children's Habits Are Genetically Lowered

Illustration of child research that is picky about food or picky Eater (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA For some parents, feeding their children is the most frustrating part. Because children who are picky about food orpicy ether must be met with daily nutritional needs, while certain types of food they want to eat. As knowledge, according to research on children being picky about food, it seems that it is passed down genetically.

The research was conducted by researchers from University College London, King's College London, and the University of Leeds who found the habit of eating pickyly was largely influenced by genes. Zeynep Nas, Ph.D. emphasized that picky eating was not caused by poor parenting. But maybe most of them are caused by genetic differences between them.

The researchers compared data from 4,804 British twin brothers born in 2007. They observe similarities in the choice of food between non-identical twins who usually have the same 50% genes and identical twin brothers who have 100%. The data was collected through a series of questionnaires requested to be filled by the parents of the twins aged 16 months, 3 years, 5 years, 7 years, and 13 years.

The study believes and concludes that non-identical twin brothers are less similar in their eating behavior than identic twins who show a large genetic relationship.

"We hope this will ease some of the guilt and blame experienced by many parents and that many people feel calm because they know that genetics play a major role in explaining why some children are more fussy than others about the food they want to eat," said Dr. Nas reported by Parents.

This study also shows that food electoral behavior increases between 16 months and 7 years later decreases as children approach adolescence. But keep in mind, there is no genetic test for Picky Eater behavior. Researchers want to emphasize that the behavior of choosing food is not due to poor parenting.

Although this study shows genetics plays a role in the picky behavior of food. But the environment where children develop eating skills should not be ignored. Researchers in this study suggest parents need to consider eating time and the home environment, which is significant during the toddler period.

"There's no doubt, it has something to do with genetics, but I think just by assuming genetics play a role, we won't be discussing much we need to do," said Jaclyb Pederson, MHI, Chief Executive of Feeding Matters, an organization committed to raising awareness about eating disorders in children.

Doctor Nas then explained that the right intervention must be carried out and adjusted to each child. Recognize how your child chooses the food, the food they choose, cultural background, and the type of care in the family. Nas also suggests offering two to three meals that your child knows will eat with two to three other foods they are reluctant to eat. Parents should also continue to try to offer food.

Maintaining health is also one of the advice of Pediatrician Colleen Kraft, MD. That is, avoid offering unhealthy foods if children don't want to eat the contents of dishes on their plates. It is also important to involve children choosing one vegetable or fruit for a week. Parents also need to be mature, don't blame yourself when your child doesn't like to eat because the dish is very picky. Finally, seek support when children who are picky about food are difficult to chew or swallow different food textures even though they look hungry.