Andrea L Deierlein

Director of Public Health Nutrition

Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition

Professional overview

Dr. Andrea Deierlein’s research focuses on examining how dietary, behavioral, and
environmental factors contribute to reproductive health outcomes and chronic-disease
development throughout the lifespan.

Dr. Deierlein is trained as a nutritional epidemiologist. Much of her research has
examined predictors and outcomes of maternal metabolic health-related conditions during
pregnancy and the postpartum, specifically, excessive gestational weight gain,
hyperglycemia, and obesity. She contributed to a systematic evidence-based review
examining outcomes of weight gain during pregnancy at the Agency of Healthcare
Research and Quality. This review informed the development of the 2009 Institute of
Medicine Gestational Weight Gain Guidelines. Dr. Deierlein received the K99/R00
Pathway to Independence Award to expand her training to include the study of toxic
environmental chemicals and metals. She conducted research examining associations of
endocrine-disrupting toxicant exposures during childhood and changes in anthropometric
measurements through adolescence among girls. She also conducted a series of analyses
examining maternal prenatal exposures to phthalates with weight gain and biomarkers of
cardiometabolic health in women during pregnancy and throughout the postpartum.
Recently, Dr. Deierlein has expanded her research to include disability-related disparities
in nutrition and reproductive health.

Education

BS, Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

MS, Health Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY

MPH, Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY

PhD, Nutrition Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Honors and awards

Travel Scholarship, Be Our Voice Childhood Obesity Prevention Advocacy Training, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2013)

New York Academy of Sciences Education Fellowship (2012)

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Environmental Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2010)

Travel Scholarship, Researching Women’s Environmental Health: Food, Nutrition, and Obesity, University of Rochester Medical Center (2010)

Travel Scholarship, Childhood Obesity Symposium, University of Southern California (2010)

Areas of research and study

Environmental Public Health Services

Epidemiology

Maternal and Child Health

Nutrition

Women's Health

Publications

Publications

Estimating days needed for dietary assessment in pregnancy: a modeling study

Pleuss, J. D., Deierlein, A. L., & Kleinberg, S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2026

Journal title

The American journal of clinical nutrition

Volume

123

Issue

2

Page(s)

101120

Abstract

Abstract

Dietary assessment is essential for understanding associations between diet and health. The number of days of dietary data collection must account for high variation in daily intakes, while balancing accuracy with participant burden. Although several methods exist for determining the optimal amount, few have been applied to pregnancy.

Exclusive breastfeeding and postpartum depression: A protective association that is not modified by feeding intentions

Ryan, R. A., Berube, L. T., & Deierlein, A. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2026

Journal title

PloS one

Volume

21

Issue

1

Page(s)

e0340269

Abstract

Abstract

Approximately 13% of women in the United States (U.S.) experience postpartum depression (PPD), a mood disorder that negatively affects maternal and infant wellbeing. Breastfeeding may protect against PPD and breastfeeding intentions may moderate this relationship. This study examined the association between breastfeeding status and PPD symptoms and whether exclusive breastfeeding intentions moderate this relationship in low-income women in the U.S. We utilized data from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2, a longitudinal cohort study of caregiver feeding practices and nutrition outcomes among children enrolled in WIC. Exclusive breastfeeding intentions were measured prenatally; breastfeeding status at 1 month; and PPD symptoms at 3 months postpartum using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (elevated PPD symptoms defined as EPDS ≥ 10). We conducted logistic regression to examine the association between breastfeeding status and elevated PPD symptoms. We stratified the analysis by exclusive breastfeeding intention-status groups to assess moderation. Adjusted models controlled for self-reported maternal ethnicity, annual household income, and smoking during pregnancy. The analytic sample included 2,022 mothers who identified their race as Black or African American (20.7%), White (58.8%), or other (20.6%), and their ethnicity as Hispanic (48.1%) or non-Hispanic (51.9%). The majority were ≥20 years old (88.2%), not married (68.2%), and had a high school education or less (62.7%). Compared to mothers who exclusively breastfed, those who combination fed (AOR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.23-3.40) or exclusively formula fed (AOR 2.03; 95% CI 1.16-3.42) at 1 month had higher odds of elevated PPD symptoms. Exclusive breastfeeding intentions did not moderate this relationship. While exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a lower likelihood of experiencing elevated PPD symptoms, the majority of participants did not meet their exclusive breastfeeding intentions, highlighting the need for enhanced breastfeeding support.

Healthcare Utilization Around the Time of Pregnancy by Extent of Disability in the U.S., 2018-2020

Deierlein, A. L., Boege, H. L., Berube, L. T., Ryan, R., & Stein, C. R. (n.d.).

Publication year

2026

Journal title

American journal of preventive medicine

Volume

70

Issue

4

Page(s)

108211

Abstract

Abstract

Females with disabilities have greater preconception health risks and adverse perinatal outcomes than those without disabilities. Characterization of reproductive healthcare utilization among females with disabilities in the U.S. is limited. We examined healthcare receipt before, during, and after pregnancy by extent of disability among U.S. females with recent live births.

Receipt of postpartum diabetes screening after gestational diabetes mellitus in the United States, 2016-2022

Boege, H. L., Berube, L. T., Ryan, R. A., & Deierlein, A. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2026

Journal title

Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association

Page(s)

e70327

Abstract

Abstract

To examine temporal trends in, as well as social and clinical factors associated with, the prevalence of postpartum diabetes screening after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the United States (U.S.).

Association between behavioural risk factors for hypertension and concordance with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension dietary pattern among South Asians in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study

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Association between behavioural risk factors for hypertension and concordance with the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension dietary pattern among South Asians in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study

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Association Between Change in the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) and Adiposity Change From 2 to 7 Years of Age Among Mexicans

Olvera-Mayorga, G., Ramírez-Silva, I., Téllez-Rojo, M. M., Valvi, D., Deierlein, A. L., Wright, R., Arsenault, J. E., Deitchler, M., Bromage, S., & Batis, C. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Nutrition reviews

Volume

83

Issue

Supplement_1

Page(s)

61-71

Abstract

Abstract

Overweight and obesity affects approximately 20%-30% of preschool- and school-aged children in Mexico. The GDQS has been proposed as a global metric for monitoring nutrient adequacy in populations, but data for its association with adiposity measures in Mexican children are scarce. We evaluated the association between the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) and changes in adiposity outcomes in Mexican children between ages 2 years to 4-5 years, 2 years to 6-7 years, and 4-5 years to 6-7 years. We analyzed data from 715 children from the Programming Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment, and Social Stressors (PROGRESS) cohort study in Mexico City. Children's dietary intakes were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and diet quality was calculated using the GDQS. We assessed 3 adiposity outcomes at 2 years, 4-5 years, and 6-7 years: body mass index (BMI) Z-score, waist circumference to height ratio (WHTr), and body fat mass to height ratio (BFMHTr). We ran separate multiple linear regression models to evaluate associations between changes in GDQS and changes in adiposity outcomes between each pair of visits. We evaluated whether the associations differed by sex, or baseline BMI status. We found that the average GDQS score was generally low at each visit. Between 4-5 years and 6-7 years, we found statistically significant inverse associations between change in GDQS and change in BMI Z-score among all children. We also found inverse associations between changes in GDQS and WHTr only for children with risk of overweight/obesity at baseline and for girls. For BFMHTr, we found statistically significant associations among girls. In conclusion, longitudinal changes in the GDQS were inversely associated with changes in adiposity outcomes among Mexican children. Our results suggest that the GDQS is a useful metric for capturing dietary quality related to obesity for children from middle-income countries, such as Mexico.

Concordance Between DASH Diet and Coronary Artery Calcification : Results From the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Prospective Cohort Study

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Concordance Between DASH Diet and Coronary Artery Calcification: Results From the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Prospective Cohort Study

Hussain, B. M. M., Deierlein, A. L., Talegawkar, S. A., Kanaya, A. M., O’Connor, J. A., Gadgil, M. D., Lin, Y., Parekh, N., & Deierlein, A. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

AJPM focus

Volume

4

Issue

1

Page(s)

100288

Abstract

Abstract

South Asian adults are at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, for which coronary artery calcification is an early predictor. Adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet is a modifiable risk factor that may mitigate the progression of coronary artery calcification and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Food-Specific Morning and Night Intake Scores Are Associated with Impaired Glucose Tolerance during Pregnancy

Pleuss, J. D., Deierlein, A. L., & Kleinberg, S. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

The Journal of nutrition

Volume

155

Issue

10

Page(s)

3526-3535

Abstract

Abstract

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) during pregnancy is associated with numerous short- and long-term adverse health outcomes. Diet is a key factor influencing glucose tolerance, yet there are little data on the relationship between specific foods or intake timing and IGT.

Fresh funds for moms: feasibility of a 12-week online food as medicine grocery prescription program for women with food insecurity and gestational diabetes

Gillespie, R., Maksi, S. J., Bush, J., Cockerham, C., Luecking, C. T., Deierlein, A. L., Wasser, H., & Gustafson, A. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Frontiers in health services

Volume

5

Page(s)

1625558

Abstract

Abstract

Pregnant women with food insecurity experience high rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Food as medicine and grocery prescription (GPx) programs have been successful in increasing food access and managing chronic disease; however, they are often not implemented during pregnancy.

Impact of metabolism-disrupting chemicals and folic acid supplementation on liver injury and steatosis in mother-child pairs

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Impact of metabolism-disrupting chemicals and folic acid supplementation on liver injury and steatosis in mother-child pairs

India-Aldana, S., Midya, V., Betanzos-Robledo, L., Yao, M., Alcalá, C., Andra, S. S., Arora, M., Calafat, A. M., Chu, J., Deierlein, A. L., Estrada-Gutierrez, G., Jagani, R., Just, A. C., Kloog, I., Landero, J., Oulhote, Y., Walker, R. W., Yelamanchili, S., Baccarelli, A. A., … Valvi, D. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Journal of hepatology

Volume

82

Issue

6

Page(s)

956-966

Abstract

Abstract

Scarce knowledge about the impact of metabolism-disrupting chemicals (MDCs) on steatotic liver disease limits opportunities for intervention. We evaluated pregnancy MDC-mixture associations with liver outcomes, and effect modification by folic acid (FA) supplementation in mother-child pairs.

Infant dietary patterns and early childhood weight outcomes: a secondary analysis from the Starting Early Program Trial

Berube, L., Kim, C., Deierlein, A. L., Woolf, K., Messito, M. J. J., & Gross, R. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Research square

Abstract

Abstract

Limited studies assess how infant dietary patterns impact child weight. The Starting Early Program (StEP) promotes healthy nutrition during pregnancy and infancy and leads to healthier child weight, but whether dietary patterns contribute to weight or mediate StEP weight outcomes has not been studied.

Nutritional Modulation of the Gut Microbiome in Relation to Prenatal Lead-Induced Neurotoxicity: A Review

Eggers, S., Nagdeo, K. P., Sachdev, K., Robinson, D., Deierlein, A. L., Lane, J. M., Gennings, C., Walker, R. W., Snetselaar, L., Nidey, N., O’Neal, E. E., & Midya, V. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Nutrients

Volume

17

Issue

23

Abstract

Abstract

Prenatal exposure to lead (Pb) is a well-established risk factor for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Despite its recognized risks, prenatal Pb exposure remains largely unregulated and poorly addressed in public health policy. Evidence suggests that the gut microbiome may mediate the neurotoxic effects of metals, offering a potential target for intervention. Here we discuss how nutritional factors, particularly those influencing the gut microbiome, may reduce the neurotoxicity of prenatal Pb exposure.

Receipt of Screening, Services, and Counseling During Perinatal Health Care Visits by Disability Status in the United States, 2018-2020

Deierlein, A. L., Boege, H. L., Berube, L. T., Ryan, R., & Stein, C. R. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Obstetrics and gynecology

Abstract

Abstract

To examine the receipt of screening, services, and counseling during prepregnancy reproductive health, prenatal care, and postpartum care visits by disability status among people with recent live births in the United States.

The nutritional characteristics and experiences of survivors of critical illness after hospital discharge : A multi-method narrative review

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The nutritional characteristics and experiences of survivors of critical illness after hospital discharge: A multi-method narrative review

Dudzik, J. M., Balk, E. K., & Deierlein, A. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Clinical nutrition ESPEN

Volume

67

Page(s)

612-625

Abstract

Abstract

Many survivors of critical illness experience long-term functional, cognitive, and psychological impairments known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Yet, the nutritional recovery experiences of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors after hospital discharge remain underrecognized and poorly understood. The objective of this review was to characterize nutritional indices and nutrition-related outcomes in survivors of critical illness, and to understand the nutritional recovery experience after hospital discharge.

Timing of eating and glycemic control during pregnancy: A systematic review

Boege, H. L., Park, C., Gagnier, R., & Deierlein, A. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD

Volume

35

Issue

9

Page(s)

104094

Abstract

Abstract

Glycemic dysregulation during pregnancy is common and increases risk of adverse birth outcomes and future chronic disease. Timing of eating is known to influence glycemic control but has not been thoroughly examined in the context of pregnancy. We systematically reviewed the literature assessing timing of eating and glycemic outcomes during pregnancy.

Timing of Eating and Glycemic Control During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Boege, H., & Deierlein, A. L. (n.d.).

Publication year

2025

Journal title

Nutrition Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Abstract

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Food Records Show Daily Variation in Diet during Pregnancy : Results from the Temporal Research in Eating, Nutrition, and Diet during Pregnancy Study

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Mental health outcomes across the reproductive life course among women with disabilities : a systematic review

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Ultra-processed food intake among South Asians in the United States : Specific vulnerabilities of a growing immigrant population group

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Clinical interventions to increase vegetable intake in children

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Concordance between Dash Diet and Hypertension : Results from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study

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