Authors :
Lavanya R.; Shanmukam K.; Deekshitha P.; Mahiya A.; V. V. Jahnavi; Lakshmi Sree S.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/yyp3hcav
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar1193
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Xylophagia is a sub-type of Pica characterized by the consumption of non-nutritive substances like wood or paper.
This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of paper-eating habits among 76 students in Visakhapatnam schools.
The analysis revealed a prevalence rate of 23.7%, with a significantly higher occurrence among children who do not consume
vegetables regularly. While males showed a higher tendency (30%) compared to females (16.7%), the strongest indicator of
the habit was dietary deficiency. This report details the demographics, dietary habits, and statistical correlations observed
in the study, providing a basis for nutritional intervention and prevention strategies.
References :
- NIH (National Institutes of Health): Pica: A Review of Etiology and Assessment
- WHO (World Health Organization): Anaemia and Nutritional Deficiencies
- Wikipedia: Pica (Disorder) Overview
- Healthline: Understanding Xylophagia and Wood Eating Habits
- Kaur, S., & Gupta, K. (2017). Prevalence of Pica in children and its association with iron deficiency anemia. Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 84(4), 256-260.
- Advani, S., & Kochhar, G. S. (2014). Xylophagia: A case report and review of the literature. Journal of Medical Case Reports.
- Bhatia, M. S., & Gupta, R. (2009). Pica: A behavioral problem or a medical condition? Delhi Psychiatry Journal, 12(2).
- López, L. B., et al. (2015). Pica and its relationship with nutritional status. Nutrition Reviews, 73(6), 332-340.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Guideline: Nutritional care and support for school-age children. * Relevance: A global standard reference for your Recommendations section to suggest how schools can implement better dietary diversity.
Xylophagia is a sub-type of Pica characterized by the consumption of non-nutritive substances like wood or paper.
This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of paper-eating habits among 76 students in Visakhapatnam schools.
The analysis revealed a prevalence rate of 23.7%, with a significantly higher occurrence among children who do not consume
vegetables regularly. While males showed a higher tendency (30%) compared to females (16.7%), the strongest indicator of
the habit was dietary deficiency. This report details the demographics, dietary habits, and statistical correlations observed
in the study, providing a basis for nutritional intervention and prevention strategies.
