Pica
PICA is an eating disorder characterized by the consumption of non-food items, such as
clay, dirt, chalk, or paper, for a period of at least one month.
● PICA is a eating disorder
● It is abnormal and very misunderstood problem
● The word pica comes from the Latin Word magpie which is a bird that will eat
anything on whatever it finds or come across
Causes
● Nutritional Deficiency: One of the theories for the cause of pica is a mineral
deficiency, such as iron or zinc.
● Cultural Factors: Pica is accepted in some cultures as a way of increasing
spirituality or treating certain physical illnesses.
● Psychological Reasons: Mental illness or psychological trauma can trigger
pica in some people.
● Associated with Pregnancy: Pica is more common in pregnant women,
especially those who are experiencing their first pregnancy or have a history
of pica in their family.
● Associated with Child Developmental Disorders: Pica is more common in
children with developmental disorders, such as autism or intellectual disability.
Types of Pica
● Geophagia (clay or dirt eating)
● Pagophagia (ice eating)
● Amylophagia (laundry starch or cornstarch eating)
● Plumbism (lead eating)
Symptoms
● Eating non-food items
● Cravings for non-food items
● Difficulty stopping the behavior
● Potential health risks, such as iron-deficiency anemia, lead poisoning,
and gastrointestinal problems
Treatment
● Psychosocial, environmental, and family guidance approaches
● Conventional medical treatment, such as supplementation with
iron-containing vitamins
● Behavior therapy, including discrimination training, self-protection devices,
and sensory reinforcement
● Medications may be helpful in reducing the abnormal eating behavior
Prevention
● Removing the particular substance from readily accessible areas
● Close observation of the individual
● Pica just comes and goes to some people; need to pay more close attention
Presented By
M.Abhinaya
Roll No.75
