Sedentary Lifestyle Associated Hyperventilation Syndrome among Students of Karachi Quarantined Amidst COVID Out Break: A Cross Sectional Survey

Sedentary activity has been related to poor physical health outcomes in both adults and youth in previous studies. While there is growing evidence of a correlation between sedentary behavior and mental health outcomes, little is known about the risk of hyperventilation syndrome. Objective: To find out the prevalence of hyperventilation syndrome due to sedentary lifestyle among students of Karachi quarantined amidst COVID outbreak. Methods: A cross sectional online survey based questionnaire which included IPAQ (International physical activity questionnaire) to access sedentary behavior and Nijmegen questionnaire to rule out hyperventilation syndrome was used to collect data from 214 students from Karachi, Pakistan. Results: Out of the total 214 subjects, 128(59.5%) developed a sedentary behavior and 86(40%) were found non sedentary. These 128(59.5%) students were further assessed for hyperventilation out of which 114(53%) were found to be positive. Conclusions: The study concluded that 53% students of Karachi with sedentary lifestyle developed hyperventilation syndrome amidst COVID outbreak.