Andrea L Deierlein
Andrea L. Deierlein
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Director of Public Health Nutrition
Associate Professor of Public Health Nutrition
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Professional overview
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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
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BS, Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMS, Health Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NYMPH, Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NYPhD, Nutrition Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
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Honors and awards
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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)
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Areas of research and study
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Environmental Public Health ServicesEpidemiologyMaternal and Child HealthNutritionWomen's Health
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Publications
Publications
How can we assist women in managing gestational weight gain?
Deierlein, A. L., & Siega-Riz, A. M. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Women's HealthVolume
8Issue
6Page(s)
603-605Long–term consequences of obesity in pregnancy for the mother
AbstractDeierlein, A., & Siega-Riz, A. M. (n.d.). In Maternal Obesity (1–).Publication year
2012Page(s)
81-86AbstractCurrent knowledge argues that pregnancy serves as a preview of a woman’s long-term health. The numerous physiological changes during pregnancy, which stress the metabolic system [1], can reveal subclinical disease states as well as identify new ones [2,3]. Evidence for this assertion exists in studies that have examined the association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [4], as well as hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and subsequent cardiovascular disease risk factors [5]. Whether pregnancy is on the causal pathway or simply a time period that allows these chronic diseases to be unmasked remains yet to be determined. Obese women are more likely to be at higher risk of developing complications such as GDM, hypertensive disorders, and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy [6–9]. In this chapter we will focus on the evidence for the association between gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention among obese women, as well as the association between obesity and lack of breastfeeding, and how these associations are potentially interrelated to cause further disease in obese women. Postpartum weight retention. Pregnancy and its associated weight gain may be potential “triggers” for the development of obesity in women [10,11]. Pooled estimates of average absolute postpartum weight retention in units of body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) are 2.42 (95% CI: 2.32–2.52) at six weeks, 1.14 (95% CI: 1.04–1.25) at six months, and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.38–0.54) at twelve months postpartum [12]. These estimates suggest that most women will lose the majority of weight that is associated with pregnancy within one year postpartum. However, many studies have observed a wide range of variation in postpartum weight retention [13,14], with as many as 20% of women having substantial postpartum weight retention ranging over 5kg (11lbs) [13].Maternal Glucose and Child BMI in the Young
Deierlein, A. (n.d.). In Food and Nutritional Components in Focus (1–).Publication year
2012Physical activity during pregnancy and risk of hyperglycemia
AbstractDeierlein, A. L., Siega-Riz, A. M., & Evenson, K. R. (n.d.).Publication year
2012Journal title
Journal of Women's HealthVolume
21Issue
7Page(s)
769-775AbstractObjective: To determine the association between moderate and vigorous physical activities (MVPA) during midpregnancy and the risk of hyperglycemia. Methods: Data were from 1437 pregnant women. Frequency, duration, and intensity of MVPA during the previous 7 days were collected via questionnaire at 17-22 weeks' gestation. Modes of MVPA included work, recreation, transportation, caregiving, and indoor and outdoor household activities. Hyperglycemia was defined as a glucose concentration ≥130 mg/dL on a 1-hour, 50-g glucose challenge test or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) assessed at ∼27 weeks' gestation. Multivariable Poisson regression estimated risks of hyperglycemia associated with total and mode-specific MVPA. Results: There were 269 women (18.7%) with hyperglycemia. Any metabolic equivalent (MET) hours/week of recreational MVPA was associated with a 27% lower risk of hyperglycemia (adjusted relative risk, [aRR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.54-0.99). Multiplicative interaction terms were significant for prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and recreational MVPA (p=0.01). Among women with prepregnancy BMI <25 kg/m 2, recreational MVPA was associated with a 48% lower risk of hyperglycemia (aRR 0.52, 95%CI 0.33-0.83) compared to women who reported none. There was no association of hyperglycemia and recreational MVPA among women with prepregnancy BMI <25 kg/m 2. Conclusions: Recreational MVPA during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of hyperglycemia, specifically among women with prepregnancy BMI <25 kg/m 2. Further research is warranted to determine recommended amounts and intensities of physical activity and to discern whether there are differences in the effects of physical activity between specific modes of physical activity or among subgroups of women in relation to hyperglycemia.Postpartum Weight Retention, Chronic Disease, and Optimal Inter-Pregnancy Interval
Gillman, M. W., Poston, L., & Deierlein, A. (n.d.). In Maternal Obesity (1–).Publication year
2012Childhood Hair Product Use and Earlier Age at Menarche in a Racially Diverse Study Population: A Pilot Study
AbstractJames-Todd, T., Terry, M. B., Rich-Edwards, J., Deierlein, A., & Senie, R. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Annals of EpidemiologyVolume
21Issue
6Page(s)
461-465AbstractPurpose: Previous studies suggest that hair products containing endocrine disrupting chemicals could alter puberty. We evaluated the association between childhood hair product use and age at menarche in a racially diverse study population. Methods: We recruited 300 African-American, African-Caribbean, Hispanic, and white women from the New York City metropolitan area who were between 18-77 years of age. Data were collected retrospectively on hair oil, lotion, leave-in conditioner, perm, and other types of hair products used before age 13. Recalled age at menarche ranged from 8 to 19 years. We used multivariable binomial regression to evaluate the association between hair product use and age at menarche (<12 vs ≥12), adjusting for potential confounders. Results: African-Americans were more likely to use hair products and reached menarche earlier than other racial/ethnic groups. Women reporting childhood hair oil use had a risk ratio of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-1.9) for earlier menarche, adjusting for race/ethnicity and year of birth. Hair perm users had an increased risk for earlier menarche (adjusted risk ratio = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8). Other types of hair products assessed in this study were not associated with earlier menarche. Conclusions: Childhood hair oil and perm use were associated with earlier menarche. If replicated, these results suggest that hair product use may be important to measure in evaluating earlier age at menarche.Effects of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on infant anthropometric outcomes
AbstractDeierlein, A. L., Siega-Riz, A. M., Adair, L. S., & Herring, A. H. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Journal of PediatricsVolume
158Issue
2Page(s)
221-226AbstractObjective: To determine whether pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) influence infant postnatal growth. Study design: Participants were from the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition study, a prospective pregnancy cohort. Term infants with weight or length measurements at approximately 6 months were included (n = 363). Multivariable regression estimated associations for weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-length z-scores (WLZ) and rapid infant weight gain with categorical maternal exposures defined with the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendations. Results: Pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity were associated with higher WAZ (linear regression coefficient [β], 0.32; 95% CI, 0.04-0.61) and WLZ (β, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.02-0.76), respectively. Pre-pregnancy BMI was not associated with LAZ. Excessive GWG was associated with higher WAZ (β, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15-0.62) and LAZ (β, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12-0.56). Excessive GWG ≥200% of recommended amount was associated with higher WAZ (β, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.28-1.07), LAZ (β, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.06-0.83), and WLZ (β, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.04-0.82). Risk of rapid weight gain increased across maternal exposure categories; however, none of the estimates were significant. Conclusions: Pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG are modifiable intrauterine exposures that influence infant postnatal anthropometric outcomes. Further investigation with infant body composition measurements is warranted.The association between maternal glucose concentration and child BMI at age 3 years
AbstractDeierlein, A. L., Siega-Riz, A. M., Chantala, K., & Herring, A. H. (n.d.).Publication year
2011Journal title
Diabetes CareVolume
34Issue
2Page(s)
480-484AbstractOBJECTIVE - The objective of the study was to determine the association between child BMI at age 3 years and maternal glucose concentration among women without pre-existing diabetes or a gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Data are from the Pregnancy Infection and Nutrition and Postpartum studies and include 263 mother-child pairs. Measured weights and heights at 3 years were used to calculate age- and sex-specific BMI z scores and percentiles. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine associations of continuous BMI z scores with maternal glucose concentration. Modified Poisson regression estimated risk ratios of child overweight/obesity (BMI ≥85th percentile). RESULTS - The mean (SD) maternal glucose concentration and prepregnancy BMI were 103.8 (23.7) mg/dL and 24.3 (5.9) kg/m 2, respectively. At 3 years, the mean (SD) child BMI z score was 0.29 (0.99), 20.9% were overweight/obese and 5.3% were obese. In the adjusted model, when compared with glucose concentration <100mg/dL, a concentration ≥130mg/dL was associated with significantly higher child BMI z score at 3 years (estimated z score difference of 0.39 [95% CI: 0.03-0.75]). With the use of the same reference category, a concentration ≥130 mg/dL was associated with an approximate twofold greater risk of child overweight/obesity (adjusted risk ratio 2.34 [95% CI: 1.25-4.38]). CONCLUSIONS - Fetal exposure to high maternal glucose concentration in the absence of pre-existing diabetes or GDM may contribute to the development of overweight/obesity in the offspring, independent of maternal prepregnancy BMI.Implementation of the new institute of medicine gestational weight gain guidelines
AbstractSiega-Riz, A. M., Deierlein, A., & Stuebe, A. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
Journal of Midwifery and Women's HealthVolume
55Issue
6Page(s)
512-519AbstractIn May 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) introduced revised gestational weight gain guidelines that were based on balancing the benefits and risks of weight gain for both the mother and child's health. This article provides an overview of these new recommendations, explaining the key changes made from the previous 1990 IOM recommendations. The important role of health care providers of pregnant women in the implementation of the new recommendations is detailed, and specific guidance for troubleshooting issues that may be encountered when helping women achieve appropriate gestational weight gains is provided.Sociodemographic, perinatal, behavioral, and psychosocial predictors of weight retention at 3 and 12 months postpartum
AbstractSiega-Riz, A. M., Herring, A. H., Carrier, K., Evenson, K. R., Dole, N., & Deierlein, A. (n.d.).Publication year
2010Journal title
ObesityVolume
18Issue
10Page(s)
1996-2003AbstractPostpartum weight retention plays an important role in the pathway leading to obesity among women of childbearing age. The objective of this study was to examine predictors of moderate (1-10 pounds) and high (>10 pounds) postpartum weight retention using data from a prospective pregnancy cohort that followed women into the postpartum period; n = 688 and 550 women at 3 and 12 months, respectively. Analysis included descriptive statistics and predictive modeling using log-binomial techniques. The average weight retained at 3 and 12 months postpartum in this population was 9.4lb (s.d. = 11.4) and 5.7lb (s.d. = 13.2), respectively. At 3 months postpartum, prepregnancy weight, gestational weight gain, and hours slept during the night were associated with moderate or high weight retention, whereas having an infant hospitalized after going home and scoring in the upper 75th percentile of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) were associated only with high weight retention. At 12 months postpartum, prepregnancy weight, gestational weight gain, and maternal education were associated with moderate weight retention; and gestational weight gain, maternal age, race, employment status, and having an infant hospitalized at birth were associated with high weight retention. The results of this study illustrate the importance of prepregnancy weight and gestational weight gain in predicting postpartum weight retention. Furthermore, given the lack of successful intervention studies that exist to date to help women lose weight in the postpartum period, the results of this study may help to inform future interventions that focus on such aspects as hours of sleep, dealing with stress associated with a hospitalized infant, and nonclinical eating disorder symptomatology.A systematic review of outcomes of maternal weight gain according to the Institute of Medicine recommendations: birthweight, fetal growth, and postpartum weight retention
Dietary energy density but not glycemic load is associated with gestational weight gain
AbstractDeierlein, A. L., Siega-Riz, A. M., & Herring, A. (n.d.).Publication year
2008Journal title
American Journal of Clinical NutritionVolume
88Issue
3Page(s)
693-699AbstractBackground: Most pregnant women gain more weight than the ranges recommended. Excessive weight gain is linked to pregnancy complications and to long-term maternal and child health outcomes. Objective: The objective was to examine the impact of dietary glycemic load and energy density on total gestational weight gain and the weight gain ratio (observed weight gain/expected weight gain). Design: Data are from 1231 women with singleton pregnancies who participated in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Cohort Study. Dietary information was collected at 26-29 wk of gestation with the use of a semiquantified food-frequency questionnaire. Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between quartiles of glycemic load and energy density with total gestational weight gain and weight gain ratio. Results: Dietary patterns of pregnant women significantly differed across many sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, with the greatest contrasts seen for glycemic load. After adjustment for covariates, compared with women in the first quartile consuming a mean dietary energy density of 0.71 kcal/g (reference), women in the third quartile consuming a mean energy density of 0.98 kcal/g gained an excess of 1.13 kg (95% CI: 0.24, 2.01), and women in the fourth quartile consuming a mean energy density of 1.21 kcal/g gained an excess of 1.08 kg (95% CI: 0.20, 1.97) and had an increase of 0.13 (95% CI: 0.006, 0.24) units in the weight gain ratio. All other comparisons of energy intakes were not statistically significant. Glycemic load was not associated with total gestational weight gain or weight gain ratio. Conclusion: Dietary energy density is a modifiable factor that may assist pregnant women in managing gestational weight gains.Outcomes of maternal weight gain.