Review for 10.1186/s12876-024-03259-y (2024)

Title: The association between night eating syndrome and GERD symptoms among university
students at An-Najah National University in Palestine: a cross-sectional study
Version: 0 Date: 09 Mar 2024
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript study is of interest aiming to determine the relationship between night eating
syndrome and the presence of GERD symptoms among university students in a restricted
mobility area.
i have some housekeeping comments and suggestions to enhance the study results an writing.
Abstract: use (NES), in line 4. keep the number of participants in results section, no need to
be repeated. keep values for (Exp(B), directly after (A strong association ...(line 170 avoid
repetitions.  Conclusion:  why u mention (Palestinian students), Are there any other nationalities
involved? when u mention association, describe it as positive or negative.
Introduction: add more references for what is revealed in line 5.
line 16:  you are exploring the modifiable factors & not using them.
study rational has to be elaborated in context of university students lifestyle and their NES.
Sampling and data collection approach: why excluded students who have already diagnosed
with GERD?...
line 2: use past tense  (NEQ (was used) ¬ will....
line 13: comment on (MEDAS), 14 items components.
line 22: have you done this analysis? The NEQ questionnaire has high reliability in our sample,
with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.72.
Capitalize Chi-square  all through the manuscript.
Results:
line 1: elaborate on currency (NIS).
Table1: Better to use "sex' rather "Gender", since the later represents more than 2 options.
Capitalize "Martial ".
What is difference between living in town  or city?
table 2: preferrable to use "medication" instead of (drugs) since the latter often include illegal
substances that causes addiction.
define self-reported "Sleep disturbance", how it was explained in the questionnaire and
preferrable add it to the  notes under tab.2
Figure 3: in legend write full name for NES.
Correct these numbers (47; 8. Five percent were underweight) ???
table 3:
Nutritional status of the participants: line 10: participants & not patients .
Table 4: add currency for the "Mean income" NIS .
since you used MD as abbreviation to (Mediterranean diet), do so throughout ...
TABLE 6:  specify scale category?
Unify writing for (table) according to the journal guidelines (TABLE or table).
why table 7 variables in italics?
write the reference for each factor in binary regression.
Discussion: line 9: Saudi Arabia ¬ Arabian.
line15: u are referring to this study?
Discuss more your finding s of + association b/w PA & Gerd in terms of encouraging PA &
reenforcing good relationship b/w healthier lifestyle and lower diseases occurrence....
I suggest in discussion section to describe associations, describe your figures for the binary Exp
(b), such as being a night eater , there is an almost 3 times tendency to have GERD (Exp(B)=
2.84, p<0.001, CI=1.71-4.69)); or
Limitations section: you started with the strength, therefore rename to this subheading: Strength
and Limitations .
Discuss more the influence of instability and  high-stress level that youth Palestinians are facing
and GI symptoms or eating pattern, Definity avoiding any conflict of interest with the journal.