Pica is diagnosed based on different characteristics or criteria:

• Presence of persistent consumption of one or more non-edible materials for at least one month.
• Presence of physical problems that may be linked to pica: abdominal pain, vomiting, blood in the stool, bowel problems, constipation, and diarrhea.
• When the intake of non-nutritive and non-food substances is inappropriate to the level of development of the person.
• When the behavior is not part of a culturally accepted practice in this person's environment.