CHILDREN QUITTING SOIL EATING HABIT AFTER HAVING A DIET CONSISTING OF MEAT AND CALCIUM

The objective of this study was to make children quit the habit of soil eating by administeringmeat, as a source of nutrients like proteins, vitamins and minerals along with oral calcium which can be given in the form of a chewable tablet. Data of 85 children of both genders was taken having a soil eating habit. On the basis of age children were divided into 3 groups, i.e. children of 2 to 6 years of age, childrenof 6 to 12 years of age and children above 12 years of age. Children were given one tablespoon of minced meat and a tablet of calcium daily for as long as the child takes to quit the soil eating This course of treatment was proven to be fairly effective. The reason forthis success was the fact that the cause behind soil eating is the body's requirement forcertain nutrients (e.g.Anemicpeople have been reported to have such a habit, cause being iron deficiency) and soil or clay has all these nutrients, i.e. iron, calcium, zinc, proteins, vitamins etc. and so this need can also be fulfilled through a diet of meat and additional administration of calcium. Results showed that children of ages 2 to 6 years quit the soil eating habit the fastest in which males quit in 10 days while females in 12 days. Keywords: Soil eating habit, Oral Calcium, Vitamin and Protein.