Pica is an eating disorder where a person eats non-food items that have no nutritional value, such as dirt, paint, or paper. Although it tends to occur in children, adults can also experience it. This unusual pattern of eating must last for at least one month for a diagnosis to be made. If left untreated, it can lead to digestive issues like stomach pain, nausea, and intestinal blockage. It can also result in poisoning or choking, depending on what non-food items are consumed. Pica tends to be caused by nutritional deficiency.