Running Head: PICA DISORDER: KAOLIN CONSUMPTION

Process Essay Final

Kaolin Consumption in Central Georgia

Instructor: Dr. Kimberly Bunts-Anderson

Student: Cherald Loveras

Fall 2019

10/12/19
PICA EATING DISORDER: KAOLIN CONSUMPTION

Kaolin consumption is a common pica prevalent in most societies all over the world. In most

cases, kaolin is consumed as a response to health conditions such as cholera and diarrhea and is

also applied to wounds to control bleeding. Kaolin refers to a natural clay type. This research

aims to get answers to two questions. The questions are;

1. Is the consumption of Kaolin a cultural practice in central Georgia?

2. Does eating of Kaolin have health impacts on the people of central Georgia?

Observation enables researchers to obtain empirical evidence on a research topic (Young

2007). The survey provides information on opinions and experiences of the target population

(Stillman and Gonzalez, 2009). Young (2007) asserts that letters to experts provide quantitative

data and more knowledge on the research issue. The study will use observations, survey, and

letters to experts as techniques to gather information on the research question.

By designing questionnaires and distributing them to other students, this study will obtain

information about kaolin consumption connecting to its use in Central Georgia. Furthermore, the

survey questions will explore the effects kaolin consumption has on the health of people in

Central Georgia. The survey questions will focus on the availability and accessibility of kaolin in

Georgia which are the reasons for Kaolin consumption and the affected population. Moreover,

the survey questions will seek to identify the negative and positive effects of Kaolin ingestion on

the health of people in Central Georgia. The students will answer the questions freely and will

have ample time for consultation. The questions are designed to achieve the understanding of

Kaolin Pica eating disorder by how it affects people. Questions such as: “What kind of health

risks can result from eating Kaolin (chalk)? Do you think the social environment of the person is

what drives them to eat Kaolin (chalk)? Do you think eating of Kaolin (chalk) could be mostly
PICA EATING DISORDER: KAOLIN CONSUMPTION

due to religious beliefs? The data obtained will reflect the overall perception of people in Central

Georgia on Kaolin consumption.

Observation from sources will enable this study to get qualitative and quantitative data on the

prevalence and impacts of kaolin consumption in Georgia. Sources of data will include observing

the difference in medical records of kaolin users and non-users, observing the motives that

trigger people in Georgia to consume kaolin and observing any link between kaolin consumption

and cultural beliefs of people in Georgia. The information from observation may also be

obtained through the use of scientific instruments to record data. Data collected through

observation will be essential to the effectiveness of this research since it will provide empirical

evidence. Empirical evidence will allow the researchers to formulate hypotheses and conclusions

which will help in identifying a suitable solution to prevent and control potential harms of kaolin

consumption.

Gaining more empirical data requires to interview experts by the use of email letters. This

research will contact ten experts in this field of study. The researcher will inform the experts

about the objectives of this research and request for their cooperation. The questionnaires sent to

experts will try to investigate on availability of Kaolin in Central Georgia. Furthermore, the

questionnaire will investigate if the experts deal with patients who consume Kaolin.

Additionally, the researcher will try to find out the alibis that motivate the affected groups to

consume Kaolin. Medical and physical assessment reports of kaolin consumers provided by

medical experts will help this study in gaining more understanding on the effects of kaolin.

Survey, observations, and letters to experts will help this study obtain relevant information

on kaolin consumption in Georgia. Comparison of student’s feedback with information provided

by experts will help in data analysis. Also, empirical evidence provided by observation will
PICA EATING DISORDER: KAOLIN CONSUMPTION

provide a clear picture of kaolin consumption in Georgia. Moreover, the impacts of kaolin on the

health of people in Georgia will be known. Understanding the impacts of kaolin will help in

finding a suitable solution to curb any potential risk. Controlling the consumption of kaolin may

help in preventing occurrence of any health complication. In that light, the three approaches will

be of great significance in the success of this study.

PICA EATING DISORDER: KAOLIN CONSUMPTION

References

Stillman, M. A., & Gonzalez, E. A. (2009). The incidence of pica in a sample of dialysis patients.

International Journal of Psychology and Counselling, 1(5), 066-093.

Young, S. L. (2007). Evidence for the consumption of the inedible. Who, what, when, where and

why. Consuming the Inedible. Neglected Dimensions of Food Choice, 17-30.