What is Pica? A teen guide to understanding unusual cravings

Mar 15
4 min read

Ever caught yourself craving something that isn’t meant for eating- like paper, chalk, ice, or even dirt- and wondered, “why am I having these cravings?”

You are not alone. For some teens, these unusual cravings aren’t just a random habit- they can be a real health condition called Pica. It is a very important topic as Pica can affect people of all ages, but it is especially important to talk about during the teen years, when the body and brain are developing quickly and nutritional needs are high. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues.

In this blog post, we’ll unpack what Pica really is. You will learn how to spot the common symptoms, what puts an individual at a higher risk of developing it, and how Pica can affect the brain, behaviour, and daily life of a person. Lastly, we will share some treatment options and support strategies that work- because with the right help, Pica can be managed, and help is available.

What is Pica?

Pica is an eating disorder in which a person repeatedly eats non-food, non-nutritive substances, like dirt, chalk, paper, soap, hair, paint, or ice, for at least one month.

This behaviour is not considered normal for the person’s age and is not something that is accepted as part of their culture or tradition. It only counts as pica if a person’s health or daily life is affected (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

How does Pica affect your life?

Pica can seriously affect an individual’s life in ways that go beyond just “weird cravings”. Physically, eating non-food items can cause health issues like stomachache, constipation, choking, infection, or even poisoning. Mentally, Pica can be really confusing and embarrassing, and many teens try to hide it from friends and family. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and feeling of isolation, especially if you are worried about being judged. Over time, Pica can affect school, friendships, confidence, and overall well being.

What counts as Pica?

Pica is when a person keeps eating things that are not food, and have no nutritional value, for at least one month. This behaviour is not appropriate for their age. For example, it is normal for a baby to put non-food items in their mouth, but the same is not normal for an older child, or a teen, or adult. This behaviour is also not accepted as part of their culture or normal social practice. Lastly, this is only considered as pica if it is serious enough to affect the person’s health, or daily life (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

Risk Factors

Up to about 30% of young children between ages one through six may engage in pica behaviors, and it is also reported in around 28% of pregnant women worldwide (Leung & Hon, 2019), making it more common than people realize. Another group at higher risk is people with mental health conditions, most commonly autism and schizophrenia.

There are some things that can increase the risk of having pica, as listed below:

Stress or anxiety, where pica could be an external outlet.
Nutritional deficiencies: iron, calcium, and zinc are the most commonly related deficiencies. The body could be trying to correct the deficiency by eating non-food objects.
Cultural or learned behavior: some forms of pica are socially accepted in certain religions or cultures. For example, at the Roman Catholic shrine of El Santuario de Chimayo in New Mexico, followers eat dirt to pay respects.
Negative conditions, including poverty or parental neglect. Pica can be a coping mechanism for some, or a way of seeking attention.
Medical conditions: as mentioned, pregnancy can be a cause. Pica is also more common in individuals with sickle cell anemia.
A family history of pica.

Though researchers are still working to better understand the exact causes of pica, it is important to be aware of these risk factors in order to recognize early warning signs (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

Treatment Options

Vitamins will only correct the problem if pica is happening because of a vitamin deficiency. Otherwise, various types of behavioural therapy (Cleaveland Clinic, 2022) are the best thing to try:

Aversion Therapy: Receiving consequences for continuing pica behaviours.
Differential Reinforcement: Focusing on rewarding yourself for eating healthy.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Learning to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, and developing more helpful ones.
Replacement Therapy: Choosing a food that has similar sensory features to the preferred non-food item, like angel food cake instead of mattress foam.

Closing

Living with pica can feel confusing, or even embarrassing, at times, but it is important to remember that you are not alone and that Pica can be managed with the right help. If you notice yourself or a friend struggling with eating non-food items, talking to a parent, doctor, or school counselor is a strong first step. Small changes, support from people who care, and learning healthier coping habits can make a big difference. Remember, your health and safety come first, and reaching out for help shows real strength.

Call-to-Action

With pica being an eating disorder that not many people know about, a good thing to do for it is to spread awareness; make pica a well-known disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with the symptoms mentioned above, share this blog with them or consider checking out the resources mentioned below.

If you ever see a child eat something that is non-food, let their parents know. If we create more awareness around disorders, like pica, it might lead to more people seeking help.

For further help and guidance, you can use the following resources:

United States - NEDA website, or call 1 (888) 375-7767

Canada - NEDIC website, or call 1-866-NEDIC-20

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Feeding and eating disorders. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5-TR (5th edition, text revision). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

Cleveland Clinic. (2022, May 6). Pica. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/pica

Leung, A. K. C., & Hon, K. L. (2019). Pica: A common condition that is commonly missed — an update review. Current Pediatric Reviews, 15(3), 164–169. https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/97302

Tardy, A. L., Pouteau, E., Marquez, D., Yilmaz, C., & Scholey, A. (2020). Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients, 12(1), 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010228