What is Pica Eating Disorder?

Pica eating disorder involves the persistent consumption of non-nutritive, non-food items for at least one month in a manner severe enough to require clinical attention[1]. These items include paper, soap, fabric, hair, string, wool, dirt, chalk, talcum powder, paint, gum, metal, pebbles, charcoal, ash, clay, starch, ice, etc[1]. The items consumed should not be diet products with minimal nutritional value[1]. This behavior is considered inappropriate for the individual's developmental stage and should not be a part of culturally or socially accepted practices[1]. If this behavior is observed in conjunction with another condition (such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, or pregnancy), it necessitates additional clinical attention[1].

References

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.