Researchers studied over 35,000 children in Norway to understand why some kids are extremely picky eaters and avoid many foods. They found that about 6% of children have persistent picky eating that lasts from age 3 to 8, and about 6% overall have serious eating restrictions that affect their health. The study discovered that genes play a role in this behavior, with some children inheriting a tendency toward restrictive eating. Kids with persistent picky eating also had more developmental challenges. These findings could help doctors better understand and support children with severe eating restrictions.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common it is for children to be extremely picky eaters, how long this behavior lasts, and whether genes influence this eating pattern
  • Who participated: About 35,750 Norwegian children born between 1999-2009, with roughly equal numbers of boys and girls. Parents reported on their children’s eating habits when kids were 3 and 8 years old
  • Key finding: About 1 in 17 children (6%) have persistent picky eating from age 3 to 8, and about 1 in 16 children (6.3%) have serious eating restrictions that cause health problems. Genes account for 8-16% of why some children develop this pattern
  • What it means for you: If your child is an extremely picky eater, they’re not alone—this is fairly common. Some of this behavior may be inherited, but it’s not something parents caused. Children with persistent picky eating may benefit from extra support in other areas of development, not just eating

The Research Details

This was a large, long-term study that followed children from birth through age 14. Researchers used information that parents reported about their children’s eating habits at ages 3 and 8. They also looked at medical records to see which children had actual health problems from their restricted eating. The researchers then used genetic testing to look for DNA patterns that might explain why some children develop this eating behavior.

The study divided children into groups: those with broad picky eating (eating only a limited variety), those with serious eating restrictions that caused health problems, and those whose picky eating was temporary versus long-lasting. This helped researchers understand different types of restrictive eating.

The genetic analysis looked at millions of tiny variations in children’s DNA to see if certain genetic patterns were more common in children with restrictive eating. This is like looking for common threads in a large tapestry to understand the pattern.

Understanding how common restrictive eating is helps doctors recognize when a child needs help. By studying children over time, researchers could see which kids grew out of picky eating and which continued to struggle. The genetic information is important because it shows this isn’t just a behavioral problem—biology plays a real role, which means treatment approaches might need to address both behavior and underlying biology

This study is strong because it included a very large number of children from the general population (not just children already seeking treatment), which gives a realistic picture of how common this problem is. The researchers followed children over several years, which helps show patterns over time. The study was registered in advance, meaning the researchers planned what they would study before analyzing the data, which reduces bias. However, the genetic findings are still preliminary and need to be confirmed in other populations

What the Results Show

The study found that restrictive eating is quite common in children. About 6% of children had persistent picky eating that lasted from age 3 to age 8—meaning they continued to eat only a narrow range of foods throughout early childhood. Another 17.7% had picky eating at age 3 but grew out of it by age 8. About 8.4% developed picky eating between ages 3 and 8.

When researchers looked specifically at children whose restrictive eating caused actual health problems (like nutritional deficiencies), the numbers were smaller but still significant: 1.8% had persistent problems, 3.2% had temporary problems, and 1.4% developed problems later. Overall, about 6.3% of children had eating restrictions serious enough to affect their health.

Children with persistent restrictive eating had more developmental challenges than other children. These challenges included difficulties with learning, behavior, and social development. This suggests that restrictive eating doesn’t happen in isolation—children with this pattern often face other developmental hurdles.

The genetic analysis showed that genes account for 8-16% of the differences in restrictive eating between children. The researchers found two specific genetic locations that were associated with this eating pattern, with one gene (ADCY3) showing a particularly strong connection to serious eating restrictions that affect health.

The study found that restrictive eating is connected to several other conditions and traits. Children with restrictive eating were more likely to have anxiety or depression, learning difficulties, smaller body size, and digestive problems. These connections suggest that restrictive eating doesn’t occur in a vacuum—it’s part of a broader pattern of how a child’s body and mind function. The genetic correlations show that some of the same genes that influence restrictive eating also influence mental health, learning ability, and digestive function

This is one of the largest studies to examine how common restrictive eating is in the general population. Previous research mostly looked at children who were already seeking treatment, which made it hard to know how many children in the community have this problem. This study confirms that restrictive eating is more common than previously thought. The genetic findings are new and add to our understanding that this isn’t purely a behavioral or psychological issue—biology matters

The study relied on parents reporting their children’s eating habits rather than direct observation, which means some details might not be perfectly accurate. The study only included children from Norway, so findings might not apply exactly the same way to children from other countries with different food cultures. The genetic findings are preliminary and need to be tested in other groups of children to confirm they’re real. The study couldn’t prove that genes cause restrictive eating—only that certain genetic patterns are more common in children with this behavior. Finally, the study couldn’t identify all the reasons why some children develop restrictive eating, since genes only explain 8-16% of the variation

The Bottom Line

If your child is an extremely picky eater, it’s worth discussing with your pediatrician, especially if it’s affecting their nutrition or growth. The findings suggest that children with restrictive eating may benefit from comprehensive support that addresses not just eating, but also mental health, learning, and overall development. This isn’t something parents should feel guilty about—it appears to have biological roots. Working with specialists like pediatric nutritionists or feeding therapists may be helpful. (Confidence: Moderate—these are research findings, not clinical guidelines)

Parents of picky eaters should care about this research, especially if their child’s eating is very limited or causing health problems. Pediatricians should be aware that restrictive eating is common and often comes with other developmental challenges. Teachers and school counselors might notice that children with restrictive eating sometimes have learning or behavioral challenges. Children with autism or anxiety disorders should be monitored, as they may be at higher risk. This research is less relevant for children who eat a reasonably varied diet or who are just going through a normal phase of pickiness

Some children naturally grow out of restrictive eating between ages 3 and 8 (about 17.7% in this study), so improvement can happen on its own. However, about 6% of children continue to have restrictive eating into later childhood, suggesting that without intervention, the pattern may persist. If you start working with a feeding specialist, improvements might take weeks to months, but this isn’t a quick fix. The key is early recognition and support

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track the number of different foods your child eats each week and note which food groups are represented (proteins, vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy). For example: ‘Monday: 8 different foods including chicken, rice, apple, milk’ helps show patterns and progress over time
  • Use the app to set small, achievable goals like ‘introduce one new food this week’ or ’eat one vegetable daily’ rather than trying to change everything at once. Log successful meals and celebrate small wins to build confidence
  • Check in monthly on the variety of foods eaten and any changes in your child’s energy, growth, or mood. Note any connections between eating patterns and other behaviors or symptoms. Share this data with your pediatrician to track progress and adjust strategies as needed

This research provides important information about how common restrictive eating is in children and suggests genetic factors play a role. However, this study does not provide medical diagnosis or treatment recommendations. If you’re concerned about your child’s eating habits, nutritional intake, or growth, please consult with your pediatrician or a pediatric feeding specialist. The genetic findings are preliminary and should not be used to predict whether a child will develop restrictive eating. Every child is unique, and professional evaluation is necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment planning.