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Pica

A R Walker¹, B F Walker, F I Sookaria

¹Department of Tropical Diseases, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Journal of the Royal Society of Health

|March 31, 1998

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Pica is the compulsive eating of non-food items. This review explores its history, prevalence in children and women, and links to iron and zinc deficiencies, with examples from Africa.

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Area of Science:

Nutritional Science
Medical Anthropology

Background:

Pica is the persistent eating of non-food substances.
The phenomenon is poorly understood, with varied outcomes.
It is observed across different populations and cultures.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the history and prevalence of pica.
To explore the relationship between pica and nutritional deficiencies.
To present examples of pica practices in Africa.

Main Methods:

Literature review on pica.
Analysis of pica prevalence data.
Case examples from African regions.

Main Results:

Pica is linked to deficiencies in iron and zinc.

Prevalence is noted in children and women.

Diverse pica practices are documented globally, particularly in Africa.

Conclusions:

Pica warrants further investigation due to its complex nature.
Nutritional status is a key factor in pica.
Understanding cultural contexts is crucial for addressing pica.