Nature and nurture in fussy eating from toddlerhood to early adolescence

Findings from the Gemini twin cohort

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21344166
AutoresZeynep Nas (0000-0002-6675-621X, Department of Behavioural Science & Health University College London London UK), Moritz Herle (0000-0003-3220-5070, Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience King's College London London UK), Alice R Kininmonth (0000-0002-1145-525X, Department of Behavioural Science & Health University College London London UK), Andrea D Smith (0000-0002-6925-6667, MRC Epidemiology Unit University of Cambridge Cambridge UK), Rachel Bryant‐Waugh (0000-0002-7449-6059, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust London UK), Alison Fildes (0000-0002-5452-2512, School of Psychology University of Leeds Leeds UK), Clare H Llewellyn (0000-0002-0066-2827, Department of Behavioural Science & Health University College London London UK, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Volumen66
Número2
Páginas241-252
Fecha de publicación2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0021-9630 • E-ISSN: 1469-7610
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jcpp.14053
PMID39299707
OpenAlexW4402630515
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas42

BACKGROUND: Food fussiness (FF) describes the tendency to eat a small range of foods, due to pickiness and/or reluctance to try new foods. A common behaviour during childhood, and a considerable cause of caregiver concern; its causes are poorly understood. This is the first twin study of genetic and environmental contributions to the developmental trajectory of FF from toddlerhood to early adolescence, and stability and change over time. METHODS: Participants were from Gemini, a population-based British cohort of n = 4,804 twins born in 2007. Parents reported on FF using the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire 'FF' scale when children were 16 months (n = 3,854), 3 (n = 2,666), 5 (n = 2,098), 7 (n = 703), and 13 years old (n = 970). A mixed linear model examined the trajectory of FF, and a correlated factors twin model quantified genetic and environmental contributions to variation in and covariation between trajectory parameters. A longitudinal Cholesky twin model examined genetic and environmental influences on FF at each discrete age. RESULTS: We modelled a single FF trajectory for all children, which was characterised by increases from 16 months to 7 years, followed by a slight decline from 7 to 13 years. All trajectory parameters were under strong genetic influence (>70%) that was largely shared, indicated by high genetic correlations. Discrete age analyses showed that genetic influence on FF increased significantly after toddlerhood (16 months: 60%, 95% CI: 53%-67%; 3 years: 83%; 81%-86%), with continuing genetic influence as indicated by significant genetic overlap across every age. Shared environmental influences were only significant during toddlerhood. Unique environmental influences explained 15%-26% of the variance over time, with some enduring influence from 5 years onwards. CONCLUSIONS: Individual differences in FF were largely explained by genetic factors at all ages. Fussy eating also shows a significant proportion of environmental influence, especially in toddlerhood, and may, therefore, benefit from early interventions throughout childhood. Future work needs to refine the FF trajectory and explore specific trajectory classes

Biology · Cohort · Developmental psychology · Gene · Genetic model · Heritability · Nature versus nurture · Population · Twin study · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Demography · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Genetics · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies · Psychology