Pica!

                                            Pica

This week I am going to be writing about a strange disorder called pica. Pica is a pattern of eating non-food material. Pica is seen in young children rather than in adults, but observed in ethnic groups worldwide; and can occur at any age. Between 10 and 32% of children ages 1-6 have this strange disorder. This disorder can occur during pregnancy. In some cases of pica, due to lack of certain nutrients, may trigger the unusual cravings. Pica has been recognized and described since ancient times. The word “pica” comes from the Latin name for magpie; a bird known for its unusual eating habits. Pica has been observed in other animals, including the chimpanzee. The types of food that some people with this disorder may eat are;

Animal feces, Hairballs, Ice, Paint, Sand, Stone, Pebbles, Lead, Laundry starch, Vinyl gloves, Plastic, Pencil erasers, Fingernails, Paint chips, Chalk, Wood, Light bulbs, Needles, String, Cigarette butts

      There is a higher risk for a person to have pica with; pregnancy, developmental delay, mental retardation, autism, poor nutrition, and certain cultural or religious beliefs. Treatment for pica will often depend on the cause and type. Medical treatment may be appropriate in certain situations. Because most cases of pica do not have an obvious medical cause, treatment with counseling, education, and nutritional management are often more successful. Although consumptions of some items may be harmless, pica is considered to be a serious eating disorder, which can sometimes result in serious health problems, such as lead poisoning. When seen in children, pica behavior tends to lesson with age. However, individuals with a history of pica are more likely to experience it again. There are no known methods of preventing pica; but removing the particular substance from readily accessible areas can be helpful.  

Anorexia

Anorexia

This week I am going to be talking about anorexia. Anorexia is an eating disorder where people starve themselves, however it is also a psychological disorder. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond concern about obesity, or out-of-control-dieting. When being thin takes over a person's eating habits, thoughts, and life, it’s a sign of an eating disorder. When a person has anorexia, the desire to lose weight becomes more important than anything else. Thoughts about dieting, food, and their body may take up most of their day; leaving little time for friends, family, and other activities they used to enjoy. People with anorexia often deny having a problem. No matter how skinny a person with anorexia may become it seems to never be good enough. Some signs and symptoms of a person with this disorders appearance and body image may include; dramatic weight loss, feeling fat even though a person is underweight, fixation on body image, harshly critical appearance, and denial that they are too thin.

Some food behavior signs and symptoms are:

• Dieting despite being thin – Following a severely restricted diet. Eating only certain low-calorie foods. Banning “bad” foods such as carbohydrates and fats.
• Obsession with calories, fat grams, and nutrition – Reading food labels, measuring and weighing portions, keeping a food diary, reading diet books.
• Pretending to eat or lying about eating – Hiding, playing with, or throwing away food to avoid eating. Making excuses to get out of meals (“I had a huge lunch” or “My stomach isn’t feeling good.”).
• Preoccupation with food – Constantly thinking about food. Cooking for others, collecting recipes, reading food magazines, or making meal plans while eating very little.
• Strange or secretive food rituals – Refusing to eat around others or in public places. Eating in rigid, ritualistic ways (e.g. cutting food “just so”, chewing food and spitting

Eating disorders often strike women between the ages of 14 and 35. Although there have been some cases of males with the disorder as well, this is typically a female issue. The stems of anorexia may occur when an individual is very young. The pressures that society places upon youth to be perfect specimens can really lead to a damaged self esteem, which can cause a case of anorexia to occur. Anorexia is curable in 80 percent of cases that are detected early and treated effectively. A person can cure this disorder by getting professional counseling, learning good eating habits, and  use steps to regain a healthy weight.