Health Tip: Possible Triggers for Pica

Causes cravings to eat things that aren't food

Related Encyclopedia • Autism • Bipolar Disorder • Death and Grieving • Dementia More... Related Healthscout Videos Video Games Boost Brain Power Stop Stuttering for Good PTSD: The War Within Women Gadgets Stealing ZZZ's! More... Related Drug Information • Adderal XR • Concerta • Effexor XR • Paxil More... Related News Articles • Best Friend Benefits Child's Mind, Body, Study Finds • John, Mary, Joe: Simpler Names May Help You Get Ahead • Most Teens Who Self-Harm Are Not Evaluated for Mental Health in ER • HIV Severity, Treatment Unrelated to Kids' Mental Woes: Study More...

(HealthDay News) -- Pica often affects children with developmental disorders, pregnant women and sometimes people with epilepsy. It's characterized by a craving to eat non-food substances, such as paint, plaster, chalk, cornstarch, dirt or cigarettes.

Text Continues Below

---

The Nemours Foundation mentions these possible triggers for pica:

• Being deficient in vitamins and minerals, such as iron or zinc.
• Dieting too strictly.
• Being malnourished.
• Lack of parental supervision.
• Having a developmental problem, such as autism or mental retardation.
• Having certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or obsessive compulsive disorder.

-- Diana Kohnle