Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Normal/high -fat milk consumption is associated with higher lean body and muscle mass in 
Japanese women aged between 40 and 60 years: a cross -sectional study  
 
Version: 1 Date: 05 Dec 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Amy  Hector  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
The authors have addressed many of the reviewers' comments adequately.  
 
The definition of the low and normal/high fat milk consumers vs exclusive low and normal/high 
fat milk consumers, and non -consumers should be made even clearer throughout the manuscript.  
 
 "Brief -type self -administered diet history questionnaire (BDH -Q) inquired about the intake of a 
food item on a 7 -point scale. Concerning normal/high - and low -fat milk, the scale is not about 
the volume, bu t about the frequency of intake: twice a day or more (7); once a day (6); 4 to 6 
times a week (5); 2 to 3 times a week (4); once a week (3); less than once a week (2); none (1). 
According to the participants' responses, they were classified as "consumers" if they scored 4 or 
more, and as "non -consumers" if they scored 3 or less. The Methods section was reorganized to 
add this information."  
What was the average score for the normal/high, low, non -consumers and exclusive consumers?  
 
The introduction and disc ussion should be improved as per the other reviewers' comments, and 
with only the relevant literature discussed.  
 
Table 1 - This could be a supplemental table and could be improved by providing the data for 
each group.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manus cript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation  that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
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3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
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4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
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