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Systematic Review Question

What is the relationship between the duration, frequency, and volume of exclusive human milk and/or infant formula consumption and overweight and obesity?

Conclusion Statement

Ever vs never consuming human milk
Moderate evidence from observational studies indicates that ever, compared with never, consuming human milk is associated with lower risk of overweight and obesity at age 2 years and older, particularly if the duration of human milk consumption is 6 months or longer. (Grade: Moderate)

Duration of any human milk consumption among infants fed human milk
Insufficient evidence is available to determine the relationship between the duration of any human milk consumption, among infants fed human milk, and overweight and obesity at age 2 years and older; the available evidence was inconsistent. (Grade: Grade not assignable)

Duration of exclusive human milk consumption before the introduction of infant formula
Insufficient evidence is available to determine the relationship between the duration of exclusive human milk consumption before the introduction of infant formula and overweight and obesity at age 2 years and older. (Grade: Grade not assignable)

Intensity, proportion, or amount of human milk consumed by mixed-fed infants
No evidence is available to determine the relationship between the intensity, proportion, or amount of human milk consumed by mixed-fed infants and overweight and obesity at age 2 years and older. (Grade: Grade not assignable)

Intensity, proportion, or amount of human milk consumed at the breast vs by bottle in infants fed human milk as their only source of milk
No evidence is available to determine the relationship between the intensity, proportion, or amount of human milk consumed at the breast vs by bottle in infants fed human milk as their only source of milk and overweight and obesity at age 2 years and older. (Grade: Grade not assignable)

Consuming human milk or infant formula (i.e., a single substance) vs human milk and infant formula (i.e., both substances) during a single feeding session
No evidence is available to determine the relationship between consuming human milk or infant formula (i.e., a single substance) vs human milk and infant formula (i.e., both substances, e.g., “topping up”) during a single feeding session and overweight and obesity at age 2 years and older. (Grade: Grade not assignable)