Which disorder is defined by swallowing non-food items?

• A. Pica Disorder
• B. Anorexia Nervosa
• C. Bulimia Nervosa
• D. Rumination Disorder

Answer: (A)

Pica involves persistent ingestion of non-nutritive, nonfood substances. This behavior, lasting at least a month and causing distress or impairment, is not culturally sanctioned and often occurs in children or individuals with intellectual disabilities. It may be associated with iron deficiency anemia and can involve items like dirt, paper, chalk, or ice. This differentiates it from rumination disorder, where the problem is regurgitating and rechewing swallowed food rather than swallowing nonfood items. It also differs from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which center on unhealthy patterns of food intake, weight loss, and body image concerns rather than the persistent consumption of nonnutritive substances.