Developmental Causes of Pica Disorder in Children

This article will explore the developmental causes of pica disorder in children, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to this condition.

What causes pica eating disorder? Pica disorder is categorized as an eating disorder, but unlike most eating disorders, which present with binging and purging symptoms, pica manifests in children or pregnant women who eat non-food items regularly for at least one month.

It is important to understand the causes of pica disorder and recognize the symptoms in your child or loved one so that you can help manage the condition. There are several developmental causes of pica dis, and this article will review the most common eating disorder causes and some ways to help overcome them. 

There are several potential causes of pica disorder among children. 

Eating disorders pica causes can involve nutritional deficiencies. Deficiencies, specifically in things like iron and zinc, tend to result in severe cravings for items that might contain the minerals the body needs. For younger children, this can result in them eating non-food items while trying to supply the body with the necessary vitamins or minerals. 

If it is discovered that a child has pica because of nutritional deficiencies, the best way to provide help would be to provide food items that contain the necessary vitamins or minerals or incorporate things like multivitamins into their daily routine.

There are several psychological factors at play, too. Some theories are that children who experience trauma at an early age might turn to non-food items as a way to self-soothe if they are struggling with fear or anxiety. 

For example:

A 3-year-old toddler has been raised in a home filled with abuse. The mother and father have regular fights, and his environment is unstable and noisy. The child does not receive love or nurturing from the mother, so he turns to chew on clothes to regular high emotions, creating a safer environment when his parents fight. 

There are also psychological factors like sensory input. Certain children might be particularly sensitive to taste or texture and, as such, turn to non-food items that mimic the taste or texture they prefer.

For example:

A 4-year-old child likes the smooth feel of certain foods with strong tastes, so she regularly eats soap because it mimics that taste. 

If it is discovered that a child has pica caused by psychological factors, there are many steps that can be taken. Children who use non-food items as a way to self-soothe can find strategies like toys or blankets with which they can snuggle or progressive relaxation and breathing exercises that offer safer self-soothing alternatives. Children can work with their parents or a therapist to identify the causes of their anxiety and address those with alternative measures.

Children who use non-food items because of strong sensory preferences can get treatment in the form of finding alternative food items with similar sensory input. The child who likes to eat tree bark might be able to chew on cinnamon sticks as an alternative. 

Developmentally speaking, children who have had a brain injury that has resulted in a developmental disorder, who were born with a learning disability, or who are on the autism spectrum are more likely to struggle with pica. Developmental disorders are among the top pica disorder causes because those who have developmental trauma, neglect, or disabilities might be compelled to try and meet nutritional needs in a non-acceptable fashion. 

There are many reasons why development disorders are considered causes of pica eating disorder. Some theories state that young children might struggle to differentiate between edible and non-edible foods. Other theories have to do with the belief that children are seeking out sensory input to really discomfort or continue infant mouthing behavior. 

Tangentially, children who have, as mentioned, experienced some form of neglect in their early environment might turn to non-food items as a way to provide for themselves where provisions were not otherwise made.

Other eating disorders pica causes have to do with specific cultural or societal factors. However, it should be noted that with these, a diagnosis may not be given if the eating behaviors are explained by social or cultural factors.

Some examples of cultural or social causes of pica disorder have to do with cultures or religious practices that believe eating non-food items can encourage magical outcomes. For example, some communities might encourage eating dirt to bring magical spirits within the body or eating non-food items associated with an ancestor or an animal to embody their power.

Societal factors can extend to economic situations where a family suffering from extreme poverty lacking adequate food sources may result in a child turning to non-food substances in order to mimic the feeling of fullness and help them with their hunger. 

For children who eat non-food items like clothing or tree bark, strategies can be used with the help of professional therapists to provide children with alternatives. As mentioned, children who eat non-food items because of emotional issues can learn to address their anxiety better. Similarly, children who struggle with the consumption of non-food items because of sensory input can work with their parents to find alternative food items that fulfill that same input.

However, it is imperative to recognize that there are several causes that often overlap in children with this condition. It is essential that you undergo an official assessment and diagnosis with your child to figure out any overlapping conditions so that a multifaceted strategy can be used. While things like certain tree bark and clothing may not present with significant complications, children with this eating disorder may consume things that are toxic or poisonous on a regular basis, and this needs to be handled immediately for their safety.

Overall, there are several causes of pica eating disorder in children. In many cases, there are several causes that overlap, such as environmental, social, and psychological aspects. For that reason, it is important to use a multifaceted approach to understanding and addressing the causes of pica, including medical, psychological, and environmental interventions.