Picky eating is largely genetic and peaks at the age of seven, scientists say

Analysis suggests food fussiness starts during toddler years and continues into early adolescence

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Lead author Dr Zeynep Nas, of University College London’s Behavioural Science & Health, said: "Food fussiness is common among children and can be a major source of anxiety for parents and caregivers, who often blame themselves for this behaviour or are blamed by others."This behaviour is not a result of parenting.

Questionnaires were used to assess food fussiness when the children were 16 months old, with follow-ups at ages three, five, seven and 13 years old.They said that genetic influence on food fussiness increased significantly after toddlerhood, from 60 per cent at 16 months to 83 per cent at three years and remained stable until the age of 13.

Senior author Professor Clare Llewellyn, of UCL Behavioural Science & Health, said: "While genetic factors are the predominant influence for food fussiness, environment also plays a supporting role.

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