Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

Impact of Maternal Obesity on Breastfeeding Outcomes
Search results
Data were extracted from 1 systematic literature review (utilising data from 22
multinational), and 1 Australian prospective cohort study and 1 Australian cross-sectional
study. Sufficient evidence was found to make statements on the relationship between
maternal obesity and breastfeeding outcomes. Breastfeeding outcomes investigated included
breastfeeding initiation/ at discharge and breastfeeding duration (any or exclusive).
What is the evidence that maternal obesity is negatively associated with breastfeeding
outcomes?
Draft Evidence statement
There is evidence that maternal obesity is negatively
associated with the initiation of breastfeeding and probably
breastfeeding duration?
Draft Grade
B
Component Rating Notes
Evidence Base Good 1 SLR (22 studies), 1 prospective cohort studies and 1 crosssectional
study
Consistency Good The majority of studies (9/10 studies in SLR) reported a
negative association between maternal obesity and the initiation
of breastfeeding. The evidence was less consistent (7/15
studies in SLR) with regard to breastfeeding duration.
Clinical impact Good Majority of studies found a negative association with
breastfeeding initiation
Generalisability Excellent Most studies in the SLR involved Western populations and
other studies were Australian
Applicability Excellent Directly applicable
In total 9/10 studies considered in the SLR found that overweight and obese women were less
likely to commence breastfeeding. This association was significantly different in all but 3
studies including 2 West Australian studies. 7/15 studies in the SLR reported a shorter
duration among obese women than normal weight women after adjusting for confounders. 2
studies in countries with high breastfeeding initiation rates found no association with
breastfeeding duration. 1 study from Kuwait found a positive association between higher
maternal weight and breastfeeding duration. The recent cohort and the cross-sectional studies
reported a negative association with breastfeeding duration.
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