Some Facts You Must Know
Have you ever noticed your child eating excessive amounts of nonfood items?
This problem is called pica eating disorder and 25% to 30% of children suffer from the condition. The condition is characterized by compulsive and consistent cravings of non-food items on the part of your child.
Many parents seek professional treatment for the condition.
Pica eating disorder is most common amongst children with developmental disabilities such as autism and mental retardation. It is also most common amongst children between the ages of 2 and 3.
If your child is 18 months or younger, eating non-food items is common behavior so you shouldn’t be alarmed.
The word “pica” comes from the Latin word for magpie. Magpies are birds that are very indiscriminate about what they eat.
People with epilepsy and pregnant women are also known to suffer from pica eating disorder, as are children who have suffered from a brain injury.
People who have pica eating disorder often crave items like dirt, clay, chalk, baking soda, coffee grounds, ashes, feces, glue, hair, and more. Some of the non-food items they crave do not have any health risks but others can cause lead poisoning or iron-deficiency anemia.
For this reason, it is very important that anyone who exhibits signs of this disorder seeks treatment.
The Causes of Pica Eating Disorder
So why do children develop pica eating disorder?
If there is no disability or condition that is obviously causing the disorder, it can be hard to pinpoint a particular cause.
Malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies can cause this disorder because your body craves certain minerals and nutrients it’s lacking.
Mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder can also cause this problem.
Treatment of Pica Eating Disorder
Pica eating disorder is treated with medication if it is severe.
Behavioral therapy may also be helpful. Total restriction from the non-food items that your child eats will be implemented.
Your doctor may also check for nutritional deficiencies in case that is the underlying cause. Luckily, for many children the disorder is temporary and goes away after treatment.
Now that you are armed with this information, talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms that may be associated with pica eating disorder.
It is considered a serious eating disorder so it’s important to address the underlying cause to keep your child safe.
If you seek treatment early, your child is more likely to overcome the disorder without much trouble and it will be less likely to recur.
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Tags: Eating Disorders, pica eating disorder
