Could picky eating be genetic?

TOP OF MIND

Genetically speaking, I hate anything green!
Picky eating consistently ranks near the top of the list of parenting complaints. There are thousands of books, articles, and podcasts on the subject. We've all gone to great lengths to trick our kids into eating a single piece of broccoli as if that will provide them with all the nutrients they need for the year.

But according to a recent study, you might be fighting a losing battle.

The important bits
The research included over 2,000 identical and non-identical twin pairs born in 2007 in the UK. Parents provided information about their children's eating behaviors from 16 months to 13 years old.

The study found that non-identical twins were less similar in picky eating habits than identical twins, suggesting a strong genetic influence on a child's willingness to try new foods. Identical twins share 100% of their genetic material, while non-identical twins do not.

They also determined that pickiness peaks at age seven, and then gradually declines as they age.

Researchers did note that environmental factors can have an impact on a child's pickiness, especially when they're a toddler. This means that early interventions to help them learn to eat a wide variety of foods could reduce their food fussiness later in life.

What's it all mean?
Once you realize you're going up against something as powerful as genetics, it should take the pressure off a little bit.

And that's a good thing! All experts suggest creating a relaxed atmosphere around mealtimes. Don't turn food into some power struggle. And remember, repeat exposure to foods is key! Don't give up!

DID YOU HEAR

🫁 These cities are bad for your lungs
It's estimated that around 28 million people in the U.S. have asthma. In 2022, nearly 7% of children under the age of 18 had asthma. It's by far the most common chronic lung disease in children, and apparently where you live can make the disease even worse. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released their Asthma Capitals report, and Allentown, Pennsylvania found itself at the top. Rochester, Detroit, Springfield and Philadelphia rounded out the top five. See the full list of cities to avoid here.

🇺🇸 Kids need more freedom
The decline in mental health among kids has been well documented in recent years. Heck, the U.S. surgeon general has even called it an urgent public health crisis. What can we do about it? Encourage more independent play! Researchers note when kids don't get to solve their own problems, they develop a belief that they have no control over what happens to them. Here are 25 ways you can give your kid more freedom.

☀️ Extreme heat is killing high school athletes
Since August 5th, at least eight students have experienced sudden death while training outdoors. Authorities have not determined an official cause of death for all of them, but it's believed extreme heat is at least partially to blame. Heat stroke is one of the leading causes of death among high school athletes, and experts say there's just no excuse for it because it's 100% preventable with "simple policies." Read more here.

🏋️ Cardi B worked out 8 days after giving birth... is that safe?
Cardi B welcomed her third child on September 7, and just eight days later, she shared that she was back in the gym, doing at least 30 minutes on the stairmaster. After receiving lots of backlash, she reminded her fans that this is her third baby, hinting at the fact that she knows her body. But what do the experts say? Well, you might be surprised.

👶 Someone fact checked a "How To Raise A Baby" book published 100 years ago
...and yikes!

A DOSE OF GOOD

@kerriewatson0504

the ‘ Hiiiiiii ‘ at the start 🥺😩💙 best bond ever! #boxerdogsoftiktok #toddlersoftiktok #boxerdog #toddlerboy

BITES WITH KIYAH

A friend sent me this viral video asking “My kids don’t really like broccoli, is this what I have to do to get them to like it?”

Let’s be super super clear: VIRAL does not equal VIABLE. Just because a video goes viral, does not mean that it holds the magic sauce for changing your kids behaviors or taste preferences. If your kids already like the foods in a viral video and you have the time and energy to prep it in such a cute way … go for it! If you think that turning food into a playful scene will be the trick to turning your kids into broccoli eaters, you might be disappointed.

kiyahduffey

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Kiyah is the co-founder of Kizingo Kids and an expert in nutrition. Follow her on IG and YT.

READS

It's been a minute since we've recommended a book, but given the fact that we touched on giving your kids more independence, we would be remiss not to share Hunt, Gather, Parent.

The New York Times bestseller was written by Dr. Michaeleen Doucleff, who found herself frustrated with modern parenting advice after welcoming her first child. She decided to travel to a Maya village in the Yucatán Peninsula to learn more about parenting in ancient cultures.

What she found was that these cultures face fewer challenges with children compared to Western parents. Notably, their approach fosters a cooperative relationship with their children, contrasting with the control often seen in Western parenting.

Highly recommended and a super informative read!

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked you when you start shopping for the holidays, and around 60% of you said between September and early December. 15% of you admitted to waiting until the very last minute.