The interactive relationship of dietary choline and betaine with physical activity on circulating creatine kinase (CK), metabolic and glycemic markers, and anthropometric characteristics in physically active young individuals

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence on the relationship between dietary choline and betaine with metabolic markers and anthropometric characteristics. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the interaction effects of dietary choline and betaine and physical activity (PA) on circulating creatine kinase (CK), metabolic and glycemic markers, and anthropometric characteristics in active youth. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 120 to 18 to 35-year-old people. The food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary data; United States Department of Agriculture website was used to calculate choline and betaine in foods. CK, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profile markers were measured with ELISA kits. Low-density lipoprotein, and insulin sensitivity markers were calculated. Sociodemographic status, physical activity, and anthropometric characteristics were assessed based on a valid and reliable method. Analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) tests adjusted for sex, PA, age, energy, and body mass index were used. RESULTS: Increasing dietary betaine and total choline and betaine was positively related to weight, waist-to-hip ratio, fat-free mass and bone mass (P < 0.05). Increasing dietary betaine lowered total cholesterol (P = 0.032) and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) (P = 0.049). The interaction effect of dietary choline and physical activity improved insulin resistance (P < 0.05). As well as dietary betaine interacted with physical activity increased HDL (P = 0.049). In addition, dietary total choline and betaine interacted with physical activity decreased FBS (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: In general, increasing dietary choline and betaine along with moderate and high physical activity improved insulin resistance, increased HDL, and lowered FBS in the higher tertiles of dietary choline and betaine. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12902-023-01413-3.