Geophagia History, Epidemiology, and Etiology

Ingestion of food is a physiological process among heterotrophic organisms to obtain nutrients for survival. The consumption of soil, clay and chalk by humans is labeled as geophagia. Ancient resources and modern references deliver valuable information concerning geophagia and pica in humans. This book takes a consistent, interdisciplinary approach for reviewing this aberrant behavior, crafting its etiology, charting its health effects and identifying the universal traits among the affected population. It puts forward a brief conceptual framework to achieve universality in its definition, history, epidemiology and multiple hypotheses thus help in adopting measures to control this habit. Key Features: 1. Systematic and meticulous flow of information on geophagia. 2. Guides general practioners, physicians, pediatricians to curb this practice in their patients. 3. A unique and concise treatise covering descriptive and research based work over a crucial health issue of worldwide prevalence.

Contents Chapter 1 Introduction of Geophagia Chapter 2 History of Geophagia Chapter 3 Epidemiology of Geophagia Chapter 4 Etiology of Geophagia Chapter 5 Ill Effects of Geophagia on Nutritional Status of Preschool Children

Dr. Anil Gupta is currently serving as Vice-Principal, Eklavya Dental College & Hospital, Kotputli under Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jaipur, India. He holds the position as Professor & Head, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry. He graduated in Bio-Sciences from Punjab University in 1989. He obtained his Bachelors in Dental Surgery from University of Poona, 1984. Later on, he did his Masters in Biochemistry in 2009 and completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 2012 from SJJT University, Rajasthan. He is persistently pursuing post-doctoral research, independently, related to "Nutritional Status of Children between 2 years to below 5 years of Age." He presented research papers in reputed universities like Thaper University, Patiala, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani, Punjabi University, Patiala, M. D. University, Rohtak, Arya P. G. College under Kurukshetra University. To his credit, more than 30 research papers have been accepted and published in high impact, peer reviewed and indexed journals. During his academic career, he has been accorded with merit certificates, merit scholarships and medals. He has more than 10 years of teaching experience, 6 years of post-doctoral experience and 4 years of PhD supervisor experience. He is gifted with more than 23 years of clinical experience. He is a guide to PhD scholars in Universities. He is supervising research scholars in distinctive fields like (Heavy metals contamination of water), (Quality analysis of drinking water) and (Predisposition of blood groups to diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia). He is serving as adjunct faculty to teach research methodology to research scholars in universities. Additionally, he serves as reviewer and member, editorial board of national and international journals. His research interests are focused on Human physiology, Nutrition and associated pathophysiology. He is an international author of books like Nutritional Anemia in Preschool Children and Comprehensive Biochemistry for Dentistry: A Textbook for Dental Students.