ICD-9 Code V77.8

Screening for obesity

Not Valid for Submission

V77.8 is a legacy non-billable code used to specify a medical diagnosis of screening for obesity. This code was replaced on September 30, 2015 by its ICD-10 equivalent.

ICD-9: V77.8
Short Description:Screening for obesity
Long Description:Screening for obesity

Convert V77.8 to ICD-10

The following crosswalk between ICD-9 to ICD-10 is based based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMS) information:

  • Z13.89 - Encounter for screening for other disorder

Code Classification

  • Supplementary classification of factors influencing health status and contact with health services (E)
    • Persons without reported diagnosis encountered during examination and investigation of individuals and populations (V70-V82)
      • V77 Special screening for endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, and immunity disorders

Information for Medical Professionals

Index to Diseases and Injuries

References found for the code V77.8 in the Index of Diseases and Injuries:

    • Screening for V82.9
      • obesity V77.8

Information for Patients


Obesity Screening

What is obesity screening?

Obesity is the condition of having too much body fat. It's not just a matter of appearance. Obesity can put you at risk for a variety of chronic and serious health problems. These include:

  • Heart disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Arthritis
  • Certain types of cancer

Experts say obesity is major problem in the U.S. Today more than 30 percent of U.S. adults and 20 percent of U.S. children have obesity. Children with obesity are at risk for many of the same health problems as adults with obesity.

An obesity screening may use a measurement called a BMI (body mass index) and other tests to find out if you or your child is overweight or has obesity. Being overweight means you have excess body weight. While not as severe as obesity, it may also lead to serious health problems.

What is a BMI?

A BMI (body mass index) is a calculation based on your weight and height. While it's hard to directly measure fat on the body, a BMI can provide a good estimate.

To measure BMI, your health care provider may use an online tool or an equation that uses your weight and height information. You can measure your own BMI in much the same way by using an online BMI calculator.

Your results will fall into one of these categories:

  • Below 18.5: Underweight
  • 18.5-24.9: Healthy weight
  • 25 -29.9: Overweight
  • 30 and above: Obese
  • 40 or higher: Severely obese, also known as morbidly obese

BMI is also used to diagnose obesity in children, but it is figured out differently than in adults. Your child's health care provider will calculate BMI based on your child's age, sex, weight, and height. He or she will compare those numbers with the results of other children with similar characteristics.

The results will be in the form of a percentile. A percentile is a type of comparison between an individual and a group. For example, if your child has a BMI in the 50th percentile, it means 50 percent of children of the same age and sex have a lower BMI, and 50 percent will have a higher BMI. Your child's BMI will show one of the following results:

  • Less than the 5th percentile: Underweight
  • 5th-84th percentile: Normal Weight
  • 85th-94th percentile: Overweight
  • 95th percentile and higher: Obese

What causes obesity?

Obesity happens when you take in more calories than your body needs over a long period of time. A variety of factors can lead to obesity. For many people, dieting and willpower alone are not enough to control weight. Obesity may be caused by one or more of the following:

  • Diet. You are at a higher risk of obesity if your diet includes a lot of fast foods, packaged snacks, and sugary soft drinks.
  • Lack of exercise. If you don't get enough physical activity to burn off what you eat, you will likely gain weight.
  • Family history. You're more likely to become obese if close family members have obesity.
  • Aging. As you get older, your muscle tissue decreases and your metabolism slows down. This can lead to weight gain, and eventually obesity, even if you stayed at a healthy weight when you were younger.
  • Pregnancy. It's normal and healthy to gain weight during pregnancy. But if you don't lose the weight after pregnancy, it can cause long-term weight problems.
  • Menopause. Many women gain weight after menopause. This may be caused by changes in hormone levels and/or reduction in daily activities.
  • Biology. Our bodies have systems that help keep our weight at a healthy level. In some people, this system doesn't work right. This makes it especially hard to lose weight.
  • Hormonal disorders. Certain disorders cause your body to make too much or too little of important hormones. This may lead to weight gain, and sometimes obesity.

What is an obesity screening used for?

An obesity screening is used to find out if you or your child is at an unhealthy weight. If the screening shows that you or your child is overweight or has obesity, your provider will check to see if there is medical issue causing the excess weight. Your provider will also teach you about what you can do to reduce your weight and improve your health.

Why do I need obesity screening?

Most adults and children over the age of 6 should be screened at least once a year with a BMI. If your health care provider finds that you have a high or increasing BMI, he or she can recommend steps you can take to help prevent you from becoming overweight or obese.

What happens during an obesity screening?

In addition to a BMI, an obesity screening may include:

  • A physical exam
  • A measurement around your waist. Excess fat around the waist can put you at an even higher risk for obesity-related health problems, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
  • Blood tests to check for diabetes and/or medical conditions that may be causing weight gain.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for an obesity screening?

You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for certain types of blood tests. Your health care provider will let you know if you need to fast and if there are any special instructions to follow.

Are there any risks to the screening?

There is no risk to having a BMI or a waist measurement. There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What do the results mean?

The results of your BMI and waist measurement may show that you are in one of the following categories:

  • Underweight
  • Healthy weight
  • Overweight
  • Obese
  • Severely obese

Your blood tests may show whether you have a hormonal disorder. Blood tests may also show if you have or are at risk for diabetes.

Is there anything else I should know about an obesity screening?

If your results show that you or your child is overweight or obese, talk to your health care provider about treatment options. There are many ways to treat obesity. Treatment will depend on the cause of the weight problem and how much weight loss is recommended. Options may include:

  • Eating a healthier, lower calorie diet
  • Getting more exercise
  • Behavioral help from a mental health counselor and/or support group
  • Prescription weight loss medicines
  • Weight loss surgery. This surgery, also called bariatric surgery, makes changes to your digestive system. This limits the amount of food you are able to eat. It's only used for people with severe obesity and who have tried other weight loss methods that haven't worked.

References

  1. AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [Internet]. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Screening for and Management of Obesity; 2015 Apr [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/prevention-chronic-care/healthier-pregnancy/preventive/obesity.html#care
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; About Adult BMI; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; About Child and Teen BMI; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html#percentile
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Internet]. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Childhood Obesity Facts; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
  5. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2019. Childhood obesity: Diagnosis and treatment; 2018 Dec 5 [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354833
  6. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2019. Childhood obesity: Symptoms and causes; 2018 Dec 5 [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20354827
  7. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2019. Obesity: Diagnosis and treatment; 2015 Jun 10 [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375749
  8. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2019. Obesity: Symptoms and causes; 2015 Jun 10 [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742
  9. Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2019. Obesity [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/obesity-and-the-metabolic-syndrome/obesity?query=obesity
  10. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Blood Tests; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests
  11. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Overweight and Obesity; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/overweight-and-obesity
  12. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Definition and Facts for Bariatric Surgery; 2016 Jul [cited 2019 Jun 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/bariatric-surgery/definition-facts
  13. OAC [Internet]. Tampa: Obesity Action Coalition; c2019. What is Obesity?; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.obesityaction.org/get-educated/understanding-your-weight-and-health/what-is-obesity
  14. Stanford Children's Health [Internet]. Palo Alto (CA): Stanford Children's Health; c2019. Determining Body Mass Index for Teens; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=determining-body-mass-index-for-teens-90-P01598
  15. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2019. Bariatric Surgery Center: What is Morbid Obesity?; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/highland/bariatric-surgery-center/questions/morbid-obesity.aspx
  16. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2019. Health Encyclopedia: Overview of Obesity; [cited 2019 May 24]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P07855
  17. US Preventive Services Task Force, Grossman DC, Bibbins-Domingo K, Curry SJ, Barry MJ, Davidson KW, Doubeni CA, Epling JW Jr, Kemper AR, Krist AH, Kurth AE, Landefeld CS, Mangione CM, Phipps MG, Silverstein M, Simon MA, Tseng CW. Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA [Internet]. 2017 Jun 20 [cited 2019 May 24]; 317(23):2417–2426. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28632874
  18. UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2019. Obesity: Exams and Tests; [updated 2018 Jun 25; cited 2019 May 24]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/special/obesity/hw252864.html#aa51034
  19. UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2019. Obesity: Health Risks of Obesity; [updated 2018 Jun 25; cited 2019 May 24]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/special/obesity/hw252864.html#aa50963
  20. UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2019. Obesity: Topic Overview; [updated 2018 Jun 25; cited 2019 May 24]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.uwhealth.org/health/topic/special/obesity/hw252864.html#hw252867
  21. Yao A. Screening for and Management of Obesity in Adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement: A Policy Review. Ann Med Surg (Lond) [Internet]. 2012 Nov 13 [cited 2019 May 24]; 2(1):18–21. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4326119

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ICD-9 Footnotes

General Equivalence Map Definitions
The ICD-9 and ICD-10 GEMs are used to facilitate linking between the diagnosis codes in ICD-9-CM and the new ICD-10-CM code set. The GEMs are the raw material from which providers, health information vendors and payers can derive specific applied mappings to meet their needs.

  • Approximate Flag - The approximate flag is on, indicating that the relationship between the code in the source system and the code in the target system is an approximate equivalent.
  • No Map Flag - The no map flag indicates that a code in the source system is not linked to any code in the target system.
  • Combination Flag - The combination flag indicates that more than one code in the target system is required to satisfy the full equivalent meaning of a code in the source system.

Index of Diseases and Injuries Definitions

  • And - The word "and" should be interpreted to mean either "and" or "or" when it appears in a title.
  • Code also note - A "code also" note instructs that two codes may be required to fully describe a condition, but this note does not provide sequencing direction.
  • Code first - Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
  • Type 1 Excludes Notes - A type 1 Excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
  • Type 2 Excludes Notes - A type 2 Excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • Includes Notes - This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
  • Inclusion terms - List of terms is included under some codes. These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • NEC "Not elsewhere classifiable" - This abbreviation in the Alphabetic Index represents "other specified". When a specific code is not available for a condition, the Alphabetic Index directs the coder to the "other specified” code in the Tabular List.
  • NOS "Not otherwise specified" - This abbreviation is the equivalent of unspecified.
  • See - The "see" instruction following a main term in the Alphabetic Index indicates that another term should be referenced. It is necessary to go to the main term referenced with the "see" note to locate the correct code.
  • See Also - A "see also" instruction following a main term in the Alphabetic Index instructs that there is another main term that may also be referenced that may provide additional Alphabetic Index entries that may be useful. It is not necessary to follow the "see also" note when the original main term provides the necessary code.
  • 7th Characters - Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
  • With - The word "with" should be interpreted to mean "associated with" or "due to" when it appears in a code title, the Alphabetic Index, or an instructional note in the Tabular List. The word "with" in the Alphabetic Index is sequenced immediately following the main term, not in alphabetical order.