Tag: Mental health conditions

According to a 2015 meta-analysis, the global prevalence of pica in pregnant and postpartum women is estimated to be 23.0% in North and South America and 44.8% in Africa. The medical term for the behavior is pica, and the specific compulsion to eat rocks, soil, or clay is known as geophagy. This unusual craving can be a sign of underlying issues, from nutritional deficiencies to mental health conditions, and should not be ignored.

While the exact cause of pica remains unknown, evidence suggests that a family history of eating disorders or mental health conditions may increase risk. This complex disorder, defined by the persistent consumption of non-food items, is influenced by a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors.

According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of Pica requires the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances for at least one month, distinguishing it from general abnormal cravings. This condition is the most common medical term for what is colloquially known as a perverted appetite.