The Big Diet

Kunal, like any other kid, was born to a middle class family in a small town of Madhya Pradesh. But his habits were a bit different from other kids. Many young kids put non-food substances in their mouth at one time or another. They are naturally curious about their environment and eat some dirt or any other non-eatable items. But with Kunal, this curiosity was more persistent. 

Initially Kunal’s parents didn’t mind his unusual eating habits but they soon realized that there was something really abnormal with their child. Eating non-food items became his habit. Eating dust was common. He used to eat the toothpaste instead of using it for brushing his teeth’s. First time he held pencil and paper in his hands, he didn’t write but started eating them. Glue was a delicacy for him. Clay, soap, hair, plaster, paint, color, chalk, match-stick, he ate them all. There was hardly any non-food item left which he didn’t put in his mouth. He even ate his own fecal matter. 

Kunal’s parents consulted a local doctor but owing to his limitations he couldn’t understand Kunal’s problem. It was only after Kunal got admitted to a hospital due to food poisoning, he was diagnosed with Pica (pronounced as paika). Pica is an eating disorder, in which people develops an insatiable urge to eat non-food substances, more common in young kids. Interestingly, the word pica is derived from a Latin word for magpie, a bird known for its large and indiscriminate appetite. Till date, the experts have found no specific cause and cure for this disorder. 

There were no specific medicines to cure Kunal. He needed a psychiatrist’s treatment. But curing a child through psychiatrist’s help was not that easy. Regular sessions, all time parental guidance, and some new and unique methods were employed to cure him. Nutritive food camouflaged in non-food items was being given to him. Slowly Kunal’s eating habits started to become normal and finally after 2 years Kunal was totally like any other young kid.