Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
05:10

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report

Published on: May 30, 2025

Obesity Modifies the Association of Race/Ethnicity with Medication Adherence in the CARDIA Study

Maribel Salas1, Catarina I Kiefe, Pamela J Schreiner

  • 11 Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA 2 Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

The Patient
|January 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Medication adherence varies by race and weight. Whites with normal weight adhered more than African Americans, but this difference disappeared in heavier individuals. This highlights disparities in managing chronic diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Health Disparities
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Medication adherence is crucial for managing chronic conditions.
  • Understanding how race/ethnicity and weight influence adherence is vital for effective treatment.
  • The CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study provides a valuable dataset for examining these associations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between race/ethnicity and medication adherence.
  • To determine if weight category (normal, overweight, obese) modifies this association.
  • To identify potential disparities in medication adherence among diverse populations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 1355 participants from the CARDIA study taking prescription medications.
  • Assessment of medication adherence using the four-item Morisky medication adherence scale.
  • Stratification of analyses by weight category and race/ethnicity.

Main Results:

  • Overall, White participants showed higher maximum medication adherence than African American participants (59% vs. 41%).
  • This adherence difference was significant only in the normal weight category (54% of Whites vs. 35% of African Americans).
  • After adjustments, normal weight White individuals had nearly double the odds of maximum adherence compared to normal weight African Americans (OR=1.98).

Conclusions:

  • Weight status significantly modifies the association between race/ethnicity and medication adherence.
  • High non-adherence rates in African Americans and overweight/obese Whites pose challenges for managing obesity-related diseases.
  • Targeted interventions considering both race and weight are needed to improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study03:05

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Published on: November 21, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution01:25

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution

Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...