The child that eats everything on their plate without a grumble, an extended chew, a sad sob or only in response to threats about dessert is almost as difficult to like as the baby who sleeps through the night from birth.
OK, it’s not the child that’s hard to like, it’s the child’s smug parent. Your child has eaten nothing but white, pre-masticated food in months, and this mum is telling you how Billie/Edie/Ryan/Donny just “adores” olives and can’t get enough steamed broccoli and brussel sprouts before heading to bed for 14 hours of interrupted sleep.
Well here is something you can aim back at any boasty parents – or at least a snippet of science-supported information that can provide you solace when yet another meal is totally and tearfully rejected.
According to the UK research published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, fussy eating and a refusal to try new foods are both heavily influenced by the child’s genetic makeup, and are not just a result of upbringing.
The research was conducted through the use of data from the Gemini study, the largest twin cohort in the world. The study, conducted by University College London, analysed the eating behaviours of 1921 families with 16-month-old twins.
And while it has a lot of scientific stuff to say about the results it’s the conclusion we’re really interested in which says that children are “born” with fussy eating habits – and that it’s more genetics than parenting.
OK, it doesn’t mean that parents of fussy eaters and food refusers can just throw their hands in the hair and give up. The research went on to provide evidence that parental actions can still influence eating behaviour in toddlers.
“We know that genes are not our destiny,” said Andrea Smith, PhD student and lead author of the research. “Parents can positively influence their child’s eating behaviours.”
She added in an interview with The Guardian that parents should not force or bribe their child to eat a “problem” food but instead repeatedly offer it to the child outside of mealtimes and praise any attempt by the child to touch or smell it.
Hope this provides some comfort for the many, many, many parents of fussy eaters out there.
If not, Supernanny Jo Frost posted this video (warning: lots of screaming, rejection and open-mouthed wailing) and if her style is your style and you enjoy utilising the “naughty chair” concept then you may enjoy it – it’s been viewed more than 500,000 times. Or you could just blame your partner’s genes and get him/her to manage meal times.
