Childhood into early adolescence is an important transition during which children’s eating habits can change; as they gain independence they make more decisions of their own about what and how much to eat. Many children develop healthy eating habits and feel positively about their body shape, but some struggle. Researchers don’t know much about why this happens.

 

We launched this exciting next phase of Gemini in November 2019. This phase will continue over the next 5 years and the aim of this phase of Gemini is to understand why some children develop healthy eating habits, a good relationship with food, positive body image and high self-esteem, but others struggle and develop difficulties, during the transition from childhood to adolescence.

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Because the Gemini children are twins, this study offers a unique opportunity for researchers to understand better how genes (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) shape eating patterns over development. As part of our research, we hope to learn more about why eating disorders and unhealthy eating patterns sometimes develop. This may make it possible to identify children who are at risk at an early age, and allow parents to put strategies in place to help prevent eating disorders from developing.

 

Thank you for being part of the Gemini study for the past 11-12 years. Gemini is now an internationally recognised study. This wouldn’t have been possible without your participation. 

 

Below is a video from the study Director, Dr Clare Llewellyn, explaining this next exciting phase of research.