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Pagophagia, or compulsive ice consumption: a historical perspective
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Glasgow.
Psychological Medicine
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Pagophagia, the excessive consumption of ice, is often seen as a new eating disorder. Historical texts from ancient Greece to the 16th century reveal warnings about excessive cold water and ice intake.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Nutritional Science
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Pagophagia, excessive ice consumption, is commonly perceived as a recent pica manifestation primarily in the USA over the past 30 years.
- Pica is an eating disorder characterized by the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances.
Observation:
- Historical medical and philosophical texts contain warnings regarding excessive consumption of cold water, ice, and snow.
- Writings from Hippocrates and Aristotle address the dangers associated with immoderate cold fluid intake.
Findings:
- Medical literature from the 16th century onwards includes case histories detailing the adverse effects of excessive cold water, ice, and snow consumption.
- These historical accounts frequently link immoderate cold substance intake to disordered eating patterns.
Implications:
- Pagophagia's historical prevalence suggests it is not a novel disorder but rather a recurring pattern in medical literature.
- Understanding historical contexts of pagophagia can inform contemporary diagnosis and treatment of pica and related eating disorders.
- Further research into historical disordered eating patterns may reveal insights into the etiology and management of current eating disorders.