Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Prevalence of D ietary Supplement Use and Associated Factors among Female College  
Students in Saudi Arabia  
 
Version: 0 Date: 05 Jul 2017  
 
Reviewer: Anthony Agbata  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Abstract: Should be revised appropriately following comments/corrections from the main 
document PDF file  
 
 
 
Background:  
 
The background is unnecessarily lengthy, and contains a lot of information which did not 
contribute to the essence of the study.  
 
The objectives of the study are well captured.  
 
 
The justification for the study is not properly stated.(see comments on corected document)  
 
 
 
Methodology:  
 
The study population should be well described.  
 
 
Authors should explain how sample size was calculated and the power of the study.  
 
 
Variables should be properly defined in terms of scale of measurement, and ordinal variables like 
degree of physical activity classified based on a validated scoring system with appropriate 
reference. Terms like 'when needed', 'from time to time' etc should be properly defined in the 
methodology section. The c lassification for variables like 'level of education', 'family income' etc 
should be stated in the methodology section and if possible referenced.  
 
 
Statistical analysus: Some of the statistical analysis eg crosstab for of physiacl activity should be 
reviewe d (see comment on main PDF file)  
 
Result:  
 
The result section is too lenghty. Reference should be made to the tables and the main findings of 
the study noted appropriately. Again there is no need to present the results for each analysis in a 
subheadings.  
 
 
 
Discussion:  
 
Discussion was too brief. Relate your work to previous studies and profer possible reasons for 
the findings of your research.  
 
Some conclusions of the study may not be valid.(see comment on PDF file)  
 
 
 
Tables:  
 
There are so many tables in this work that are unnecessary. Tables were poorly presented with a 
lot of vague statements.  
 
 
The figures were merely repeatitions of what were earlier depicted in the tables. They are 
therefore unnecessary and should be removed  completely.  
 
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
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 recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing inte rests, 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  
manuscript, either now or in the  future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any  patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
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?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial compe ting interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal. I understand that my name will be included  
on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for publication, my named report  
including any attac hments I upload will be posted on the website along with the authors'  
responses. I agree for my report to be made available under a n Open Access Creative Commons  
CC-BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ). I understand that any comments  
which I do not wish to be included in my named report can be included as confidential comments  
to the editors, which will not be published.  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal