Purpose This study determined fluid intake and physical activity behaviors among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods College students ( n = 1014; females, 75.6%) completed an online survey during the Spring 2020 academic semester following the initial global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic standing, habitation situation, and University/College responses to COVID-19 were collected. Participants completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and a 15-item Beverage Questionnaire (BEVQ-15) to determine physical activity level and fluid intake behaviors, respectively. Results Females (1920 ± 960 mL) consumed significantly less fluid than males (2400 ± 1270 mL, p < 0.001). Living off-campus ( p < 0.01) and living with a spouse/partner ( p < 0.01) was associated with increased consumption of alcoholic beverages. 88.7% of participants reported being at least moderately active; however, Black/African American and Asian participants were more likely to be less active than their Caucasian/White counterparts ( p < 0.05). Participants reporting no change in habitation in response to COVID-19 had a higher fluid intake ( p = 0.002); however, the plain water consumption remained consistent ( p = 0.116). While there was no effect of habitation or suspension of classes on physical activity levels ( p > 0.05), greater self-reported physical activity was associated with greater fluid intake (std. β = 0.091, p = 0.003). Conclusions Fluid intake among college students during the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic approximated current daily fluid intake recommendations. Associations between COVID-19-related disruptions (i.e., suspension of classes and changes in habitation) and increased alcohol intake are concerning and may suggest the need for the development of targeted strategies and programming to attenuate the execution of negative health-related behaviors in college students. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00394-022-03058-9.

Objectives To evaluate fluid intake of college students during the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods College students (n = 1015 (75.5% Female); 59 freshmen, 139 sophomores, 264 juniors, 245 seniors, 289 graduate) participated in an online questionnaire from colleges/universities within the United States during the Spring 2020 academic semester. Participants were asked about their fluid intake over the previous 30 days using the BEVQ-15. The questionnaire consisted of demographic and living status questions as well as 16 questions detailing type (e.g., water, milk, etc.), frequency (“how often”), and volume of fluids for each consumption (“how much each time”). Kruskal-Wallis analyses (test statistic reported as chi-square, χ2) were used to compare the total fluid intake, frequency of plain water intake, and volume with each consumption between those with and without a change in living situation and by academic standing. Data reported as (median [interquartile range]). Results A change in living status was reported by 426/1015 (42%) participants. Median fluid intake was 1848 mL ([1295, 2532] mL) for all participants. Total fluid intake [χ2(1) = 18.07, P &lt; 0.001] was different between those with (1709 [1199, 2366] mL) and without (1940 [1378, 2644] mL) a change in living situation. However, the volume of plain water intake was not different between those with (710 [473, 1420] mL) and without (1065 [591, 1420] mL) a change in living situation [χ2(1) = 2.81, P = 0.09]. Frequency [χ2(1) = 3.10, P = 0.08] and the volume with each consumption [χ2(1) = 1.16, P = 0.28] of plain water were also not different based on a change in living situation. Academic standing impacted the volume of total fluid intake [χ2(4) = 14.33, P = 0.006], with juniors (1751 [1161, 2455] mL) reporting less than graduate students (1940 [1041, 2780] mL, P = 0.01). Conclusions These data suggest a change in living situation affected total fluid intake, however, there were no differences in the frequency and volume of plain water intake. Further, academic standing impacted the fluid intake behaviors. Future investigations are warranted to evaluate factors guiding fluid intake frequency and volumes in the college student population. Funding Sources N/A