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Genetic influences on dietary variety - Results from a twin study

Published inAppetite, vol. 77, no. C, p. 133-138
Publication date2014
Abstract

The heritability of variety seeking in the food domain was estimated from a large sample (N = 5,543) of middle age to elderly monozygotic and dizygotic twins from the “Virginia 30,000” twin study. Different dietary variety scores were calculated based on a semi-quantitative food choice questionnaire that assessed consumption frequencies and quantities for a list of 99 common foods. Results indicate that up to 30% of the observed variance in dietary variety was explained through heritable influences. Most of the differences between twins were due to environmental influences that are not shared between twins. Additional non-genetic analyses further revealed a weak relationship between dietary variety and particular demographic variables, including socioeconomic status, age, sex, religious faith, and the number of people living in the same household.

Keywords
  • Food choice
  • Variety seeking
  • Bayesian statistics
Citation (ISO format)
SCHEIBEHENNE, Benjamin et al. Genetic influences on dietary variety - Results from a twin study. In: Appetite, 2014, vol. 77, n° C, p. 133–138. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.03.001
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Journal ISSN0195-6663
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