Although
pica, the craving and purposive consumption of non-food substances, is common among many populations, especially during pregnancy, the health consequences are not well understood. Further, very little is known about
pica among Mexican populations in the United States and Mexico. Therefore, we conducted formative research to understand
pica in this understudied population. Our objectives were to identify the frequency and types of
pica behaviours, to understand perceived aetiologies and consequences of
pica and to ascertain if the behaviour was common enough to warrant a larger study. We held nine focus group discussions (three in the Salinas Valley, California; six in Xoxocotla, Morelos, Mexico) with 76 Mexican-born women who were currently pregnant or had delivered within the past 2 years. Earth, adobe, bean stones and
ice were the most commonly reported
pica substances. Twenty-eight of the 76 participants (37%) reported ever engaging in
pica; 22 participants (29%) reported doing so during pregnancy. The proportion of women reporting
pica in the United States and Mexico was 43% and 34%, respectively. Women attributed
pica to the overwhelming organoleptic appeal of
pica substances (especially smell and texture) and to
micronutrient deficiencies. Perceived consequences of unfulfilled
pica cravings were birthmarks or fetal loss; fulfilled
pica cravings were also thought to be generally harmful to the mother or child, with several women specifying toxic lead, pesticides or 'worms'. In sum,
pica among Mexican women is common enough to warrant a larger epidemiologic study of its sociodemographic correlates and physiological consequences.