PONE-D-23-17392Perceptions of self-monitoring dietary intake according to a plate-based approach: A qualitative studyPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Cohen,

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PLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments:

Reviewer 1 comment:

The authors should highlight more on how you one can extrapolate the result to many multi-cultural & ethnic population which is increasing in Canada day by day due to influx of immigrants. In addition this would have increased the usefulness of this app in other countries as well.

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: N/A

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Thank you for considering me as a reviewer for this paper. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this paper.

The article intents to explore the use of a mobile app to explore dietary self-monitoring using Plate-based approach, since Canadian recent dietary guidelines are based on this concept with 3 sections on a plate. This is a pertinent and relevant topic as most tools to assess dietary intake are very extensive, laborious, requires higher literacy levels among respondents and a lot of number recording which is often boring plus it can be self-esteem damaging and does fulfil the purpose of dietary monitoring to improve health.

In general, this is a potentially stimulating qualitative research manuscript in the area of nutritional sciences which is very much needed to give relevance to the findings in quantitative research. Presumably the authors and their team in the past have done quantitative work on this app development process. The manuscript has been well written with clarity and detailing in methodology. It is encouraging to see that the authors have followed COREQ guidelines in reporting qualitative work which further authenticates the manuscript and give relevance to qualitative research in the area of diet and nutrition. The results are encouraging, however more quotes from both the dietitians and the general public could have added the qualitative strength to this article.

Given that the aim of the study was also to explore the efficacy of the app among all major ethnic groups within Canada. I think the authors should highlight more on how you one can extrapolate the result to many multi-cultural & ethnic population which is increasing in Canada day by day due to influx of immigrants. In addition this would have increased the usefulness of this app in other countries as well.

Reviewer #2: Review of ‘Perceptions of self-monitoring dietary intake according to a plate-based approach: A qualitative study’

I have reviewed the research paper ‘Perceptions of self-monitoring dietary intake according to a plate-based approach’. First off: maybe I missed this information, but why are certain sentences blacked out? Why aren’t reviewers allowed to see who gave the ethical approval (line 231), for instance? I cannot sign off the ethical approval for this reason (again, for instance). A second not entirely substantive point: I would not consider myself an expert on qualitative research. My review will therefore be less in-depth than perhaps desirable.

The paper describes the qualitative research of a dietary self-monitoring tool, called iCANPlate, on two population samples, i.e., general population and experts on the topic, in focus groups. In an intelligible manner, the authors cover the participants’ assessment of the tool on the basis of three themes, i.e., capability, opportunity and motivation. The conclusions drawn come down to the assertion that the simplicity of the tool can help people change their dietary behaviors, albeit with the downside of lacking cultural diversity. An important flaw is constituted by the use of convenience sampling, which may be the reason that the samples seem to lack representativity. However, this is recognized by the authors.

My (short) conclusion would be that this paper is well-written and serves its purpose, as a qualitative explorative study. I would think that as such, it most likely can be considered as a precursor to a more in-depth study into the qualities and usefulness of the tool iCANPlate.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Perceptions of self-monitoring dietary intake according to a plate-based approach: A qualitative study

PONE-D-23-17392R1

Dear Dr. Cohen,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Sana Sadiq Sheikh

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE