There is a cultural example that frequently occurs in South African cities, where it is a widespread practice among young ladies. It’s acceptable to eat clay in some cultures. Some of the common deficiencies include iron, calcium, zinc, and other nutrients.Ĭulturally acceptable behaviors: Sometimes people could even like and crave the flavors or textures of specific non-food substances. Nutrition Deficiencies: In some cases, a person may have certain minerals or other deficiencies that one’s body is trying to replenish. Medical Conditions: Those who may be pregnant or have sickle cell anemia which is an inherited blood disorder are more likely to experience pica. Learn more about how OCD is related to Eating Disorders. Furthermore, while these disorders can be genetically acquired by one’s parents, they can also be due to some condition at birth due to pregnancy complications, and such. Mental Health Conditions: People with a family history of mental health conditions such as OCD obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia may develop pica as a coping mechanism. Some of these factors include the following: There is no single determining cause of pica yet but there are certain factors that can lead to the potential development of this disorder. Some of these non-food substances can be especially dangerous and can lead to severe health complications such as: Some of the common non-food items include the following:Ĭredits: YouTube Other Health Complication The majority of those with Pica prefer a certain type of non-food substance that they prefer to consume. How to recognize Pica?Ī way to recognize pica is that these people may consistently eat non-food substances that have no nutritional value. If you have any concerns about your child consuming any non-food substances, get them checked by a doctor immediately, Early intervention in the case of pica can help them avoid potentially life-threatening side effects. According to research in the United States, Pica is present in 10% of the people who are mentally challenged. It may also be seen in people with intellectual disabilities especially those with severe developmental disabilities. This condition may be temporary and is mostly observed in children and pregnant people. According to a study in the US, pica is present in 18.5% of children. At times, a person may eat harmless things like ice or it could be extremely harmful substances such as paint or metal pieces, etc. Pica is a serious eating disorder in which a person may consistently eat substances with absolutely no nutritional value. Treatment may be challenging, particularly in individuals with developmental disabilities, and professional help should be sought. Factors contributing to pica include mental health conditions, medical conditions, and nutritional deficiencies, while prevention involves monitoring and addressing potential risks. It can lead to various health complications, and early intervention is crucial. Recognizing pica involves identifying the consistent consumption of non-food items with no nutritional value. Pica is a serious eating disorder characterized by the consumption of non-food substances, often observed in children, pregnant individuals, and those with intellectual disabilities.
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