Parents are not to blame if a child is a picky eater, researchers say, as major research suggests that eating tendencies are largely due to genetics rather than parenting styles.
The UK study compared the eating habits of identical and non-identical twins aged 16 months to 13 years to highlight how much is down to genetics versus environment.
Identical twins were much more similar in how fussy or adventurous they were with food than non-identicals - suggesting a strong genetic component.
The study's lead author said she hoped the findings would help "assuage parental guilt".
Strategies to help increase the variety of foods children eat — including offering a variety of foods — may still be helpful, especially in early childhood, the researchers say.
The study was published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
