PARENTS are not to blame if their children are fussy eaters, according to experts. Research suggests being picky about food is mostly genetic. 1 Polls suggest half of parents reckon their child is a fussy eater (stock image) Credit: Getty The bad news is that it means it can last well into their teenage years.

A study of 2,400 pairs of twins found it is significantly more likely for both siblings to be fussy if they are identical than if they are not. It shows their DNA plays a key role as non-identical pairs can be brought up the same way but eat differently. Scientists at University College London said their findings might “alleviate parental blame”.

Read more on child health HIGH ALERT Children at risk of killer infections as vaccination rates plummet, NHS warns MINI RACER Boy, 5, dreams of winning gold at Paralympics after being fitted with leg blade But they added mums and dads can reduce the risk of having a choosy tot by having family mealtimes and introducing infants to a wide range of foods. Lead author Dr Zeynep Nas said: “Food fussiness is common among children and can be a major source of anxiety for parents. “Parents often blame themselves or are blamed by others.

“We hope our finding may help to alleviate that blame. Most read in Health MIRACLE BABY I couldn't have sex because of rare condition, now I'm having baby at 41 'DEJA VU' My partner died after hospital stay 9 yrs after I lost my son in 'hell' facility ‘DO NOT EAT’ Domino’s dips and meal .