About

Dr. Andrew Odegaard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, Irvine, within the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health. He holds a Ph.D. and M.P.H. in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in Biology from Macalester College. Dr. Odegaard's research primarily focuses on the patterns, causes, and consequences of obesity and insulin resistance, with a particular emphasis on dietary intake. His work investigates aspects of body composition and adipose tissue depots that are hypothesized to be causal factors in major chronic diseases prevalent in the current era. His research approach considers the life course and utilizes both observational and randomized study designs. Dr. Odegaard collaborates extensively with clinicians and experts across disciplinary boundaries to address important health-related questions. His research interests include diet, nutrition, lifestyle, physical activity, fitness, obesity, body composition, metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, cognition, and translation.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Gerontology
• Endocrinology
• Genetics
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Biology
• Pediatrics
• Environmental health

Selected publications

• DXA-Derived Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Mortality

  Current Oncology · 2026-02-17

  articleOpen access

  Background: Elevated abdominal adipose tissue at time of diagnosis is associated with breast cancer mortality. We sought to understand the association between abdominal adipose tissue (subcutaneous, SAT and visceral, VAT) assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and breast cancer mortality in the prevention setting. Methods: Women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative study with baseline whole-body DXA scans were included in the study (n = 9767). Causes of death were adjudicated up to 27 years of follow-up. Competing risk models were used to examine independent associations between baseline VAT, SAT, per 100 cm2, and breast cancer-specific deaths; findings were reported as sub-hazard ratios (SHR) and confidence intervals (CI). Time-varying analyses additionally included DXA at years 3 and 6. Covariates included demographic, lifestyle, and tumor factors. Results: Baseline VAT and SAT ranged from undetectable to 616.25 cm2 and 55.26–952.46 cm2, respectively. There were 738 incident breast cancer cases post-enrollment, and 87 breast cancer-related deaths. Median age at diagnosis was 62 years. In adjusted models, higher baseline VAT and SAT were significantly associated with higher risk breast cancer mortality (49% and 40%, respectively); time-varying models were similar. Conclusions: Higher VAT and SAT were similarly associated with breast cancer mortality in this group of postmenopausal women.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Abstract WP229: The association between HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor use and the risk of cerebral hemorrhage: a target trial emulated using cardiovascular health study cohort with parametric g-formula

  Stroke · 2026-01-29

  articleSenior author

  Introduction: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are widely used for prevention of ASCVD, yet their effect on hemorrhagic stroke risk remains controversial. Some studies report no increased risk, while others suggest harm or protection. These inconsistencies may reflect short follow-up in RCTs, limited reporting of hemorrhagic stroke events, and inadequate adjustment for co-medications. Emulating a target trial with parametric g-formula can better address these gaps by accounting for time-varying confounding and mimicking clinical treatment strategies. Methods: We used data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a prospective cohort of U.S. adults aged ≥65 years recruited between 1989–1993 and followed through 2012. Eligibility was restricted to participants meeting ACC ASCVD risk–based criteria for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy. Baseline was CHS Year 2 (1989–1990), with time zero at Year 3 (1990–1991), when participants were classified as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor users or non-users. Hemorrhagic stroke was defined as neuroimaging-confirmed hemorrhage, bloody cerebrospinal fluid, stroke-related death within 24 hours, or autopsy evidence. Two strategies were compared: (1) initiate and continue HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, and (2) remain medication-free. Follow-up continued until hemorrhagic stroke, death, loss, or study end. The parametric g-formula estimated 22-year risks under each strategy, adjusting for time-varying confounders (antithrombotics, anticoagulants, antihypertensives, and non-statin lipid-lowering agents), baseline demographics, and comorbidities. Results: Of 5,888 CHS participants, 5,128 met eligibility criteria and were included in analyses and there were 89 hemorrhagic stroke events. The estimated absolute risk of hemorrhagic stroke under the natural course (no therapy throughout the follow-up) is 2.45 (95% CI: 1.77, 3.10), compared with 1.30 (95% CI: 0.28, 99.71) among HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor users. The risk of hemorrhagic stroke under the hypothetical use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors throughout the follow-up time is 0.53 times (95% CI: 0.10,41.09) compared with the risk under the natural course. Conclusions: We found no evidence of an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor use. This study demonstrates the utility of the parametric g-formula for addressing time-varying confounding in long-term observational data, particularly in the context of complex medication use.

  PublisherDOI

• Telehealth-Delivered Dietary Counseling in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: A Randomized Feasibility Study

  Nutrients · 2026-04-04

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background/Objectives: Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) experience chronic inflammation, elevated cardiovascular risk, and substantial symptom burden. Dietary patterns with anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects may represent a modifiable strategy to address these overlapping risks, yet dietary intervention has not been systematically studied in MPN. We evaluated the feasibility, engagement, and preliminary clinical signals of a fully remote dietary counseling intervention in adults with MPN. Methods: In this single-center, randomized, open-label pilot study, 28 adults with polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, or primary myelofibrosis were randomized 1:1 to Mediterranean (MED) or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary counseling over 10 weeks. The protocol included a 2-week baseline run-in period, 10-week active intervention with four telehealth dietitian visits, and 4-week postintervention follow-up. Prespecified feasibility endpoints were the completion of dietitian visits, daily MPN Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Score (MPN-SAF TSS) surveys, Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) questionnaires, and Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Recall (ASA24) assessments. Exploratory endpoints included the change in Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) and symptom burden. Results: Twenty-seven participants provided data and were analyzed (14 MED, 13 DASH). Dietitian visit attendance was 96% (MED) and 85% (DASH). Daily symptom survey completion averaged 93% (MED) and 58% (DASH). MEDAS completion was 81% (MED) and 51% (DASH); ASA24 completion was 55% (MED) and 38% (DASH). HEI-2015 increased from 55 to 63 in MED during active intervention. At week 12, 23% of MED and 13% of DASH participants achieved ≥50% TSS reduction. Symptom reductions were observed across multiple domains. Conclusions: A fully remote dietary intervention is feasible in adults with MPN, with strong engagement in the Mediterranean arm. These findings support adequately powered trials incorporating biomarker endpoints to evaluate dietary modification as a strategy for inflammation-driven symptoms and cardiovascular risk in MPN.

  PublisherDOI

• <scp>DXA</scp> ‐Derived Abdominal Adiposity and Obesity‐Related Cancer Risk Among Postmenopausal Women in the Women's Health Initiative

  Obesity · 2026-03-20

  article

  OBJECTIVE: Obesity is associated with the risk of several cancers, yet conventional anthropometric measures do not distinguish the contributions of different compartments of abdominal adipose tissue. This study examined the relationship between visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) abdominal adiposity and the incidence of 13 obesity-related cancers (ObRCs) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Data from 9950 postmenopausal participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) cohort were analyzed. Abdominal VAT and SAT were quantified from DXA scans using validated imaging software. Fine and Gray competing-risks models estimated associations with ObRC incidence over 177,295 person-years of follow-up. RESULTS: increase in VAT corresponded to a 32% higher risk, with a nearly twofold increase for women in the highest VAT quartile. SAT and the VAT/SAT ratio were also significantly associated with risk, though more modestly. Findings were consistent across BMI, WC, age, and race/ethnicity strata and in time-varying models. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral adiposity has a strong, independent association with ObRC risk in postmenopausal women. Incorporating imaging-based body composition measures may improve cancer risk stratification and guide targeted prevention strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00000611 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00000611.

  PublisherDOI

• Defining methodologic and other core competencies for PhD-level training in epidemiology

  American Journal of Epidemiology · 2025-04-07

  article

  In this manuscript, we present the results of a series of workshops convened in conjunction with the 2023 Society for Epidemiologic Research annual meeting. The overall objective of the workshops was to develop a set of core competencies for PhD students in epidemiology. The topics presented in the list of competencies are organized using a framework similar to many graduate programs in epidemiology, proceeding from basic to advanced topics. Given the breadth of substantive topics in the fields of epidemiology and public health, this list of competencies focuses on methodologic topics that are relevant to all students, regardless of research interest. The final topic lists were developed based on discussions including a large and diverse group of epidemiologists with different areas of expertise. By creating this resource, we aim to facilitate training of future generations of epidemiologists.

  PublisherDOI

• Supplemental Table S4 from Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry–Derived Adiposity and Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Postmenopausal Women

  2025-10-03

  articleOpen access

  &lt;p&gt;Supplemental Table S4: Model results stratified by BMI category&lt;/p&gt;

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Comparative Effectiveness of Metformin Versus Sulfonylureas on Exceptional Longevity in Women With Type 2 Diabetes: Target Trial Emulation

  The Journals of Gerontology Series A · 2025-05-19 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: The association of metformin with mortality has been mixed, and no prior study has determined whether metformin initiation is associated with exceptional longevity, defined as survival to ages 90 and older. METHODS: We performed a new-user, active comparator cohort study using the target trial emulation framework among the Women's Health Initiative cohort to determine whether metformin versus sulfonylurea initiation was associated with exceptional longevity (survival to age 90). We identified participants ≥60 years with incident type 2 diabetes and no history of hypoglycemic agents or insulin prior to treatment initiation to perform intention-to-treat analyses. We used 1:1 propensity score matching on demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, diabetes duration, comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer), body mass index, and concomitant medications to balance treatment groups on key confounders. RESULTS: Among 438 propensity score-matched women with type 2 diabetes, the incidence rate of death before age 90 per 100 person-years in women initiating metformin monotherapy was 3.7 (95% CI: 3.1-4.4) compared with 5.0 (95% CI: 4.2-5.8) for sulfonylurea monotherapy. The adjusted risk of death before age 90 was 30% lower for initiation of metformin monotherapy versus sulfonylurea monotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI: 0.56-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: In this first target trial emulation of metformin and exceptional longevity, we found that metformin initiation increased exceptional longevity compared with sulfonylurea initiation among women with type 2 diabetes. Because this comparison was not made to placebo in a randomized controlled trial and given the observational design with potential for residual confounding, causality cannot be inferred.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Supplemental Table S1 from Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry–Derived Adiposity and Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Postmenopausal Women

  2025-10-03

  articleOpen access

  &lt;p&gt;Supplemental Table S1: Model results additionally adjusted for BMI and SMI, and time-varying model results&lt;/p&gt;

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Effect of Substituting Water for Artificially Sweetened Beverages on Glycemic and Weight Measures in People With Type 2 Diabetes: The Study of Drinks With Artificial Sweeteners (SODAS), a Randomized Trial

  Diabetes Care · 2025-12-10

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of substituting plain water (the ideal standard) for habitual artificial sweetened beverage (ASB) intake by people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on primary measures of diabetes control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The Study of Drinks with Artificial Sweeteners in People with T2D (SODAS) was conducted at two academic health centers and was a randomized, two-arm, parallel trial with a 2-week run-in period and a 24-week active intervention period. Adults with T2D (n = 181; HbA1c 6.5-8.5%; aged ≥35 years) who regularly consumed commercial ASBs were randomized to receive and consume 24 oz daily for 24 weeks of either 1) a commercial ASB of choice (control) or 2) an unflavored, sparkling or still, bottled or canned water of choice in place of ASBs. The outcomes measures were collected at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks and included the primary measure (HbA1c) and related secondary measures (fructosamine, fasting glucose and insulin, body weight, and continuous glucose monitor metrics). RESULTS: A total of 179 participants provided complete data over 24 weeks. From baseline to 24 weeks, the mean difference in change of HbA1c was 0.29% (SE 0.12; P = 0.013) higher in the water arm compared with the ASB arm. There were no significant effects on secondary clinical measures, but data were directionally consistent with the primary results. CONCLUSIONS: For people with T2D and HbA1c <8.5% who regularly consume ASBs, this trial provided no evidence that substituting water would improve glycemic-related clinical care measures over 24 weeks.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The effect of substituting water for artificially sweetened beverages on glycemic and weight measures in people with type 2 diabetes: The Study of Drinks with Artificial Sweeteners (SODAS), a randomized trial

  2025-12-10

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Objective: To test the effect of substituting plain water (the ideal standard) for habitual artificial sweetened beverage (ASB) intake in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on primary measures of diabetes control. Research Design and Methods: The Study Of Drinks with Artificial Sweeteners in People With T2D (SODAS) was conducted at two academic health centers; and was a randomized, two-arm parallel trial with a 2-week run-in period and a 24-week active intervention period. 181 adults with T2D (HbA1c 6.5-8.5%), age 35+ years, who regularly consumed commercial ASB were randomized to receive and consume 24 oz. daily for 24-weeks of either: 1) Commercial ASB of choice (control); or 2) Unflavored, sparkling or still, bottled/canned water of choice in place of ASB. The outcomes measures were collected at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks and include the primary (HbA1c%) and related secondary measures (Fructosamine, fasting glucose and insulin, body weight and continuous glucose monitor metrics). Results: 179 participants provided complete data over 24 weeks. From baseline to 24 weeks, the mean difference in change of HbA1c% was 0.29% (SE 0.12; P value = 0.013) higher in the water arm compared to the ASB arm. There were no significant effects on secondary clinical measures, but data were directionally consistent with the primary results. Conclusion: For people with T2D and HbA1c% &lt; 8.5% who regularly consume ASB, this trial provided no evidence that substituting water would improve glycemic-related clinical care measures over 24 weeks.&lt;/p&gt;

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R21HL121627

  NIH · $205k · 2018

Frequent coauthors

• Woon‐Puay Koh

  Agency for Science, Technology and Research

  120 shared

• Mark A. Pereira

  University of Minnesota System

  108 shared

• Jian‐Min Yuan

  101 shared

• Myron D. Gross

  University of Minnesota

  62 shared

• David R. Jacobs

  University of Minnesota

  51 shared

• Robyn M. Scherber

  37 shared

• Hellen Nguyen

  University of California, Irvine

  36 shared

• Angela G. Fleischman

  University of California, Irvine

  36 shared