| Abstract [eng] |
Pica is an eating disorder where a person feels the urge to eat non-nutritious, non-food substances. Although pica can occur at any age, a higher prevalence is observed among pregnant women and children who have mental health problems. Recently, additional attention has been paid to study the role of sensory sensitivity in eating disorders. Aim of the study: to examine associations of eating non-nutritious, non-food substances that is common in pica disorder with increased sensory sensitivity features. Methodology: parents/guardians of children aged 3 to 6 years completed an anonymous online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of parts of demographic data, questions about the peculiarities of children‘s eating and increased parts of sensory features. The study involved 655 individuals. The final sample consisted of 614 parents/guardians. Results: Of the 614 study participants, 3,7% indicated that their child eat non-nutritious, non-food substances. Girls had more increased sensory traits, but no statistically significant difference was found between a sex of a child and increased sensory traits. Conclusions: children with increased sensory traits were more likely to eat inedible substances than those without elevated sensory traits. Girls had more of these traits for sounds, video stimuli and skin (touches, clothes), while boys had more sensory traits for smells. Increased sensory features were mostly observed in the 3 and 5 year age groups. |
