New Study Links Severe Picky Eating To Genetic Factors
Boomsite—-Chattanooga, TN
New Study Links Severe Picky Eating To Genetic Factors
Parents dealing with extremely picky eaters may find validation in new research that tracked over 35,000 children and discovered that severe food avoidance has significant genetic components, with 8-16% heritability rates. About 6% of kids show persistent restrictive eating from toddlerhood through school age, while another 6% develop clinical issues like nutritional deficiencies. Researchers identified the ADCY3 gene, which affects how children process smell and taste, making normal foods feel genuinely threatening. “Simply put, these children can’t help the fact that they are refusing or avoiding foods,” says one specialist. “Their genetic makeup is preventing them from experiencing foods in a typical manner.” The findings suggest these severe restrictions aren’t behavioral phases but neurological differences requiring specialized support rather than pressure-based feeding approaches
Courtesy of UK Style Yahoo
