Claim: A TikTok user shared that the craving for and chewing of ice is a mental disorder called “pagophagia”. She adds that it is sometimes caused by emotional stress and depression.
Verdict: DUBAWA Ghana has found the statement to be true. Research has established that pagophagia is usually associated with iron deficiency anaemia or mental abnormalities like intellectual disabilities and autism.
Full Text
A TikTok user Melanin Monroe captioned a video with the following, “When you find out, craving and chewing ice can be a mental disorder called “pagophagia” brought on by emotional stress, OCD, and depression.”
The video has garnered several comments and shares. As of the time of publishing this report, the post had attracted over 250,000 likes, 5,483 comments and over 31,000 shares.
Comments border along agreement, surprise, fear, and indifference.
In our verification, we consulted the US National Library of Medicine and WebMD. We also spoke to Issahak Abdul-Rashid, a Nutrition Officer at the Our Lady of Rocio Health Center in Walewale in the North East region.
Verification
When DUBAWA contacted a nutritionist, Mr Abdul-Rashid, at the Our Lady of Rocio Health Center in Walewale, on the lady’s post, his response was affirmative. He said, “This is true. Pagophagia is a pica (the craving for non-food and nonnutritive items), and a patient who craves and chews ice suffers from an iron deficiency. It can also be a result of developmental and mental health issues.”
He added, “It is an eating disorder and is mostly associated with pregnant women. A common reason pregnant women crave and chew ice is that they often have a mineral deficiency.”
An online search also revealed a Case Report titled “Pagophagia in a Female with Recurrent Depressive Disorder: A Case Report with Review of Literature,” published on the US National Library of Medicine’s official website. It says, among other things, Pagophagia (compulsive ice chewing) is a form of pica characterised by ingesting ice, freezer frost, or iced drinks. It is usually associated with iron deficiency anaemia or mental abnormalities like intellectual disabilities and autism.
Another Case Report explained that “Ice pica (pagophagia) is commonly seen in patients with iron deficiency.” The report says, “Excessive ice chewing/eating can have significant health risks, including electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic disorders.”
According to research, ice pica leading to hyponatremia and seizure is not commonly seen in clinical practice. Studies have also shown that most physicians are unaware of pica, and most cases can be easily missed.
However, a medical study has revealed that pagophagia exists, and a person suffering from it may also be suffering from iron deficiency anaemia. According to the study, out of 81 patients with iron deficiency anaemia, “Pagophagia was present in 13 patients (16.0%).” The study suggested that “although the pathogenesis of pagophagia is unclear, a biochemical approach involving the central nervous system might elucidate the mechanism underlying these abnormal behaviours [craving for ice].”
Other similar studies and findings on pagophagia can be found here and here.
Also, a publication on WebMD states, “If you are craving ice, then you have a specific type of pica called pagophagia. If you occasionally enjoy crunching on leftover ice cubes, such as when you finish a fountain drink, that isn’t pagophagia. Chewing on ice only becomes pagophagia when the drive to chew ice is intense and persistent.”
The publication identifies some causes of pagophagia as Iron deficiency anaemia, calcium deficiency, eating disorders, dry mouth and developmental and mental health issues.
Conclusion
Craving and chewing ice (pagophagia) are truly associated with iron deficiency, with or without anaemia. Pagophagia is a sign of emotional issues like stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder or a developmental disorder.
This report was produced under the DUBAWA Non-urban Journalists Mentorship project aimed at promoting a culture of truth and verification in non-urban newsrooms in Ghana with support from the US Embassy.
