Food Dichotomy

The line between genetic and environmental influence on our everyday lives is quite commonly seen as a blurred concept. Traits such as hair color, height, and even nose shape are examples of being securely rooted in our genomic make-up. On the other hand, there is personality, beliefs, and values that can be comfortably categorized as guided by our environmental experiences. In the study of psychology, this dichotomy is referred to as nature versus nurture. The problem with this division, however, is that there is a significant grey area in-between where many, if not most, of our traits tend to lie. Factors such as athleticism and intelligence often cannot be simply classified as one or the other. In a recent discussion, one such factor was mentioned, and that was weight; is our

In a recent study, researchers surveyed a group of UK twins to determine which class of foods they preferred (Fildes, et al., 2014). Using 114 different foods, the classes included protein, vegetables, fruit, dairy, starches, and snacks. Quantitative model-fitting analyses was then used in order to assess the genetic and environmental influence of each food class. Research concluded that genetically we are predisposed to prefer nutrient rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins. This is understandable considering what our Neanderthal ancestors had access to, which was typically nuts, berries, and meats. On the other end of the spectrum, it was concluded that the home-environment was the main factor in children’s preference for energy rich foods; the dairy, starches, and snacks. The results of this study thus support the idea that our environment, particularly our homes, greatly shape our preferences towards particular foods. Genetically, we want to eat the nutrient-rich foods, but the readily available, high energy, better tasting food is preferred, thus leading to greater weight