Tag: Behavioral disorders

According to UNICEF, 149 million children under five were stunted in 2022, a clear indicator of chronic malnutrition. This alarming statistic underscores the pervasive and devastating impact of poor nutrition on the developing mind, revealing how malnutrition affects behavior in both immediate and long-term capacities.

An estimated 25% of the world's population is anemic, with approximately half of those cases being due to iron deficiency. A strong link has been established between this form of anemia, known as iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and the eating disorder pica, which is characterized by the compulsive consumption of non-food items. This connection has been observed across diverse populations and serves as an important clinical sign for diagnosis and treatment.

Pica is so strongly associated with iron deficiency that treating the mineral imbalance often resolves the compulsive eating behavior. This unusual eating disorder, characterized by cravings for non-food items like ice, dirt, or starch, is a complex medical condition that can signal a deeper nutritional problem. Unraveling the link between low iron and pica is crucial for proper diagnosis and effective treatment.