2025 ICD-10-CM code Z72.4
Inappropriate diet and eating habits
The code is used to indicate a lifestyle factor that may influence the patient's health status and is not necessarily a primary diagnosis.
Clinicians use this code to document when a patient's dietary habits are deemed unhealthy or inappropriate, potentially posing health risks.
- 21. Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
- Persons encountering health services in other circumstances (Z69-Z76)
In simple words: This code indicates a problem with unhealthy eating habits or an unsuitable diet.
Inappropriate diet and eating habits
Example 1: A teenager consistently consumes fast food and sugary drinks, neglecting fruits and vegetables, leading to weight gain and potential health concerns. The physician documents this using Z72.4., An adult patient with hypertension continues to consume a high-sodium diet despite dietary recommendations. The dietitian uses Z72.4 to highlight the non-compliance., A child with a family history of diabetes exhibits poor eating habits, primarily consuming processed foods. The pediatrician documents this dietary pattern using Z72.4.
Detailed documentation of the patient's dietary habits, including types of food consumed, frequency of meals, portion sizes, and any related health concerns.
** Excludes1: behavioral eating disorders of infancy or childhood (F98.2.-F98.3), eating disorders (F50.-), lack of adequate food (Z59.48), malnutrition and other nutritional deficiencies (E40-E64). Excludes2: problems related to life-management difficulty (Z73.-), problems related to socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances (Z55-Z65). Exempt from POA reporting.