The duration criterion for Pica requires at least how long?

The duration criterion for Pica requires at least how long?

• A. 2 weeks
• B. 1 month
• C. 3 months
• D. 6 months

Answer: (B)

The key idea is the duration needed for the diagnosis of Pica. For Pica, the behavior of eating nonnutritive substances must persist for at least one month. This threshold helps separate a brief episode or temporary curiosity from a sustained pattern that is clinically significant. Shorter periods, like two weeks, don’t meet the criterion, while longer durations (three or six months) do meet it because the requirement is simply “at least one month.” So the minimal duration you’re looking for is one month.

The key idea is the duration needed for the diagnosis of Pica. For Pica, the behavior of eating nonnutritive substances must persist for at least one month. This threshold helps separate a brief episode or temporary curiosity from a sustained pattern that is clinically significant. Shorter periods, like two weeks, don’t meet the criterion, while longer durations (three or six months) do meet it because the requirement is simply “at least one month.” So the minimal duration you’re looking for is one month.