Eating Dirt!
Eating dirt as a child is fairly common and it is something many of us may be guilty of. However, if a child is seen eating dirt very frequently, it may be a sign of an underlying disorder. Pica is a condition in which a person eats non-food, non-nutritive and often inedible items such as dirt, paint, ice etc. It may be not only be a sign of a mental illness or an eating disorder, but it is also a warning sign of coexisting iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anaemia in a child will manifest in the form of tiredness, irritability, exertional shortness of breath and reluctancy in participating in strenuous sports. The child may be visibly pale and have poor nutritional intake. Pica is also commonly observed in iron deficient children. (Image via: https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/pica-in-children-causes-symptoms-treatment/ )