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The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, Vol. 117, No. 5, 280-284 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/146642409711700503

Pica

A.R.P. Walker

Human Biochemistry Research Unit Department of Tropical Diseases School of Pathology of the University of the Witwatersrand and the South African Institute for Medical Research Johannesburg South Africa

B.F. Walker

Human Biochemistry Research Unit Department of Tropical Diseases School of Pathology of the University of the Witwatersrand and the South African Institute for Medical Research Johannesburg South Africa

F.I. Sookaria

Human Biochemistry Research Unit Department of Tropical Diseases School of Pathology of the University of the Witwatersrand and the South African Institute for Medical Research Johannesburg South Africa

R.J. Cannan

Human Biochemistry Research Unit Department of Tropical Diseases School of Pathology of the University of the Witwatersrand and the South African Institute for Medical Research Johannesburg South Africa

R.J. Cannan, MSc

Department of Human Nutrition University of Otago PO Box 56 Dunedin New Zealand

Pica is the compulsive eating of non-food substances over a sustained period of time. It remains an intriguing, little understood occurrence, with a potential for both positive and negative outcomes. In this review information is given on the history of the phenomenon, its prevalence among children and women, and its relation to iron and zinc deficiency. A number of examples of pica practice are reported from Africa.

Key Words: Africa • deficiency • nutrition • pica • pregnancy


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