Eating disorder frequently unreported
When many people hear the words anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating they recall headlines associated with rail-thin female celebrities battling these eating disorders. Few are aware of a fourth -- uncommon -- eating disorder known as "pica" (pike-eh), the consumption of nonfood substances.The term pica is derived from the Latin word meaning "magpie" and reflects that bird's peculiar eating habits.
Little is known about this type of eating disorder because it is frequently unrecognized and underreported. Typically, it is observed in children, individuals with developmental disabilities and pregnant women. It rarely occurs in men for reasons no one can explain.
Specific types of pica reported:
Amylophagia: the eating of laundry starch or cornstarch. Some theorize the sweet taste and crunchy texture of flaked laundry starch attracts a small number of women to eat these products, especially during pregnancy. Laundry starch is made from unrefined cornstarch and some will substitute cornstarch if laundry starch is unavailable.
Geophagia: the consumption of earth, particularly that with a high percentage of clay. Scientists believe it is harmful, while others think there may be an adaptive benefit, since humans and animals have done it for thousands of years. One of the main concerns about this practice is the consumption of parasite eggs in the earth that could lay dormant for years in soil but when ingested become active in the digestive tract.
Other dangers associated with geophagia are damage to tooth enamel, lead poisonings and intestinal obstruction.
Pagophagia: another type of pica that consists of a person crunching on ice. According to "Nutrition Now" by Judith Brown, "This person may have a nine in 10 chance that they are iron deficient. Regular ice eating, to the extent of one or more trays of ice cubes a day, is closely associated with an iron-deficient state. Ice eating usually stops completely when the iron deficiency is treated."
Plumbism: the medical term for long-term eating of paint chips which contain lead. Many older homes, apartment buildings and other buildings contain lead-based paint and dried-up paint chips. Although this eating disorder has decreased greatly over the years since enactment of legislation that prohibits use of lead-based paint in homes, there still is a need to be aware of this disorder.
While the mystery of pica is unexplained, many hypotheses have been proposed from cultural, socioeconomic, organic and psychodynamic perspectives. Whatever the reasons for this eating disorder, early detection and education are needed to emphasize healthy nutritional practices instead.
posted by Intussusception Medical Care Amateur - @ Intususseption: July 2005
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