India, Feb. 28 -- Did you ever nibble on chalk as a child, or caught your little one putting soil in their mouth? While it may seem like an odd or harmless childhood habit, the urge to eat non-food items such as chalk or mud is more common than many realise - and it can sometimes point to an underlying medical issue. Health experts say these cravings are not simply behavioural quirks but may be linked to nutritional deficiencies or other health conditions that require attention.

Dr Priyanka Sehrawat, a general physician and neurologist trained at AIIMS, New Delhi, and currently associated with The Neuromed Clinic in Gurugram, is shedding light on why some individuals feel compelled to consume unusual non-food items such as chalk, soil, p...