PICA – The Peculiar Eating Disorder

“You are what you eat. Our bodily constitution and mental atmosphere are determined according to how and what we eat”

- Srila Prabhupada

Science of Self Realization

What is Pica Eating Disorder?

Healthy Food is the fuel for our body. Why?? Because it provides all the nutritious value for our system to work properly. But think what will happen if one start's eating things which have zero nutrition value. If we don't provide fuel to the machine, it will not operate. Similarly, the human body is a machine and food is its fuel. Not eating proper and healthy food, the growth will get hampered.

Pica is one of the rare eating disorder that involves eating items that are not typically thought of as food and that do not contain a significant nutritional value. There is no single cause of pica. In some cases, a deficiency in iron, zinc, or another nutrient may be associated with pica. The behavior must continue for at least one month to qualify as pica. Typical substances ingested tend to vary with age and availability. They may include:

Paper, soap, dirt, cloth, hair, string, wool, soil, chalk, talcum powder, paint, gum, metal, pebbles, charcoal, ash, clay, starch, or ice.

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All above-mentioned things contain harmful pathogens, making it unsafe to consume. Eating these can even become an addiction, an impulsive act hidden from others.

Pica also occurs in people who have intellectual or learning disabilities. Brain damage is also one of them. It's often more severe and long-lasting in people with severe developmental disabilities. However, this disorder occurs most often in children and pregnant women.

The eating of these substances must be developmentally inappropriate. The ingestion of the substance is not a part of culturally supported or socially normative practice. In children under two years of age, mouthing objects—or putting small objects in their mouth—is a normal part of development, allowing the child to explore their senses. Mouthing may sometimes result in ingestion. In order to exclude developmentally normal mouthing, children under two years of age should not be diagnosed with pica.

A Little Known Eating Disorder Is on the Rise

The Handbook of Clinical Child Psychology currently estimates that prevalence rates of pica range from 4%-26% among institutionalized populations.

Eating certain nonfood items can sometimes lead to other serious conditions. These conditions can include: poisoning, such as lead poisoning, parasitic infections, intestinal blockages and choking.

The problem usually starts in childhood and lasts for just a few months. But that span of time can be dangerous for health. The problem is seen in every 1 in 5 children. Due to mental disabilities and development issues, people around 10-20 years of age suffers.

There is no particular clinical test for it. Complete medical history and physical exam should be performed so as to diagnose the problem perfectly.

Dangers of Pica Eating Disorder

Dietary counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (the therapy which tries to changes the way a person thinks) can opt. Certain tests may be done such as X-Rays, blood tests (to check for anemia), tests to check for toxins and other harmful substance in blood which may get ingested during eating. The blockage may also occur. It should also be diagnosed.

The various viruses or bacteria will damage the body. It should also be curbed.

Even the autism scientist have developed interventions, where the patient’s attention should be drawn away from the desired object and rewarding them for discarding the non-food item.

The problem mainly persists in underdeveloped countries. A lot of people battles with this eating disorder. As the problem is growing day by day, complete supervision on the eating habits should be maintained. If there is a problem there is a solution. Counselling of the patients might help to handle the situation. People make the nation and its future and if the root of the tree is not healthy, it can't grow properly. Similarly, if the people are not healthy, the future will be dim. So fight the problem, consult the doctor to curb this situation. A positive attitude makes great changes in life.

“Let Food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”

- Hippocrates

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Written By

Monica Singh

Shreya

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