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Pica

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Hidden and Lesser-known Disordered Eating Behaviors in Medical and Psychiatric Conditions

Abstract

Pica disorder can have strong, burdensome effects on the quality of life both of the affected individuals and of those close to them. Pica behavior is relatively common, especially among children, persons with intellectual disabilities, and pregnant women and in some African communities within or outside of Africa. Reported prevalence rates vary widely and seem to decline with age. Etiological mechanisms are not yet understood. Consequently, effective treatment methods which target the etiological mechanisms and thus minimize the risks associated with and reduce pica behavior are scarce. Research focusing on treatment methods proposes combinations of mainly reinforcement-based techniques, whereas punishment-based techniques should only be applied as a last resort. Randomized controlled trials need to be conducted to further investigate the effects of promising methods which include non-contingent reinforcement, differential reinforcement, and environmental enrichment on an empirical basis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany

    Alexandra Höger & Andrea Sabrina Hartmann

Authors
  1. Alexandra Höger
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  2. Andrea Sabrina Hartmann
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Correspondence to Alexandra Höger .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Private Hospital "Salus" of Ferrara, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Emilia Manzato

  2. Formerly Sapienza University of Rome, Founding Editor of Eating and Weight Disorders, Campiglia Marittima, Livorno, Italy

    Massimo Cuzzolaro

  3. Experimental Medicine Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Editor-in-Chief of Eating and Weight Disorders, Roma, Roma, Italy

    Lorenzo Maria Donini

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Höger, A., Hartmann, A.S. (2022). Pica. In: Manzato, E., Cuzzolaro, M., Donini, L.M. (eds) Hidden and Lesser-known Disordered Eating Behaviors in Medical and Psychiatric Conditions . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81174-7_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81174-7_15

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-81174-7

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