Changes In Human Behavior Research Articles

Pioneer of human behaviour change science to deliver Wooldridge Lecture.

The 56th annual Wooldridge Memorial Lecture will be delivered at BVA Congress 2023 by Professor Susan Michie, pioneer of groundbreaking research exploring how influencing people's actions can have a positive impact on health and sustainability.

Did COVID-19 mandates influence driver distraction Behaviors? A case study in New Jersey

The global pandemic, Coronavirus (COVID), impacts almost everything, and human driving behavior is no exception. Since its breakdown in March 2020, transportation researchers have pondered on this matter to investigate the impact of COVID on drivers' travel behavior. Most of these studies are self-reported surveys, 'before and during' crash analyses, and short-duration observational studies. With a wider scope from an observational lens, we aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on drivers' distraction behaviors from an extensive observational database of distracted driving in New Jersey. A moving observational vehicle equipped with mounted cameras was utilized to collect the drivers' behavior across the high crash corridors and important highways in New Jersey. Samples collected during the COVID mandates and the post-COVID period were analyzed to assess the impact of COVID on drivers' distraction behavior at various temporal setups and roadway geometry. The results indicate a significant increase in cellphone use, eating, and fidgeting/grooming during the post-COVID period. However, behaviors like radio/reaching objects and talking to passengers decreased significantly after COVID. Utilizing the Mann-Whitney U test, this study conducted significance tests to identify the impacts of various temporal and geometric roadway features on each distraction type. Summer season, toll roads and roads with no signal had reduced distraction during the post-COVID compared to the COVID period. Both COVID and post-COVID period showed significant patterns of change of driver behavior within the temporal variables and road geometry. This research's findings would enable comprehension of human behavioral change for COVID mandates.

Risks and forecasts of global temperature increase and climate challenges: Insights from the 5th wave theory and Novak triangle

<p>The global overheating of the earth leads to numerous direct and indirect consequences. Explicitly also financial and explicitly also those that will affect people’s insurance and standard of living. The Prof. Doost Mohammadian’s 5th wave theory and the Novak triangle show correlations and possible solutions for government action. <strong>Purpose:</strong> Recognizing the consequences of the global increase in temperature is one thing, drawing the right conclusions and measures with the aim of implementing them in the foreseeable future is another. The countries of this world must act—this paper is intended to help. <strong>Design/methodology/approach:</strong> The aim was to find out what risks and predictions are posed by the global increase in temperature. This paper uses qualitative and quantitative approaches to analyze the challenges in anthropogenic global overheating using the Novak Triangle and the fifth wave/tomorrow age theory. The study is based on a review of existing literature and case studies of countries introduced based on the Paris Agreement (2015). <strong>Findings:</strong> Most people have realized that man-made global overheating will have massive consequences worldwide. These consequences need to be made concrete, as well as changes in human behavior and policy frameworks. The paper deals with various consequences and thus risks that will also affect the insurance industry and shows dangers for the world population. Affected countries: All countries of this world will be affected because the overheating of the earth is a global effect. <strong>Research/future/practical implications:</strong> Yes, anthropogenic global overheating (trivialized by various opinion makers as climate change and dismissed as a fringe phenomenon) is the greatest challenge facing humanity in the 21st century. In summary, the ability to make money or reduce one’s costs with BEVs/FCEVs may be the fastest accelerator for their adoption. This can best be achieved with simple “out-of-the-box” solutions that people implement themselves out of self-interest (see Novak Triangle). Implications of this paper for research include the need for further research on human behavior and the effectiveness of proposed solutions. Future implications of this paper include the importance of mitigating direct and indirect consequences of temperature rise and considering unpleasant facts in this regard. <strong>Originality/value:</strong> Currently, there are practically no scientific books that would present the overall context of the challenges around global temperature increase in correlation with direct and indirect consequences for people and the economy at a glance. Therefore, only current findings and scenarios can be described here. This paper contributes to the literature on economic and environmental consequences of Earth overheating by explaining the resulting challenges using the 5th wave theory. The paper proposes solutions to these challenges and includes case studies of countries discussing these issues. The paper provides valuable insights for policymakers, insurance industry representatives, and researchers working toward a sustainable environmental and climate future.</p>

Green Employee Training—A Remedy for Environmental Behaviour: The Case of Public Universities in Kenya

The global ecosystem is fast deteriorating due to the devastating effects of climate change resulting from humanity’s behaviour towards the environment. Increasing resource scarcity, loss of biodiversity and global warming with disastrous effects have become prevalent. Scientists unanimously blame anthropogenic (human) actions for the crisis and claim that the power to mitigate and preserve the environment lies within human behaviour change. Organizations are under pressure to act since they contribute significantly to climate change through their operations, products and services. By examining the influence of green employee training (GET) on employee pro-environmental behaviour (EPEB), the study sought to investigate whether environmental training could influence eco-friendly behaviour in employees of public universities in Kenya. A measurement model based on the Green Five taxonomy was developed and employed for the study. The model measured an array of employee green behaviours: transforming, conserving, avoiding harm, influencing others and taking initiative. A list of 31 public chartered universities accredited by the Commission for University Education in Kenya constituted the sampling frame, where a sample of 123 respondents was drawn from three purposively selected universities. The study adopted a correlational research design and employed mixed research techniques, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. An online questionnaire was used to collect primary data from respondents. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlational analysis revealed a significant, positive correlation between GET and EPEB, indicating a strong, positive linear relationship between the predictor and response variables. ANOVA results revealed that green employee training significantly and positively predicts employee pro-environmental behaviour. Keywords: Climate Change, Green Employee Training, Green Five taxonomy, Employee Pro-Environmental Behaviour.

Transformative potential of nature-based values that influence the relationships between reported and intended pro-environmental behavior

Protected area landscapes embody multiple values of nature that can create meaning in everyday life. Though the values ascribed to these environments theoretically inspire changes in human behavior, surprisingly few studies have empirically evaluated how ‘specific values’ affect actions that benefit the environment. We used Public Participation in Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) methods to evaluate the relationships among four nature-based values and the patterns of both reported and intended behavior among visitors to Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA (n = 667). We found that wilderness, recreation, ecological integrity, and scientific qualities of places were particularly important for characterizing the Denali landscape and accounted for more variation in intended than reported pro-environmental behaviors. We provide new insights on how nature-based values underpin the decisions of visitors and lead to transformative changes after experiencing a high profile, charismatic protected area. Understanding the reasons why people forge connections with natural areas and modeling how these associations relate to different types of behavior advances knowledge of how to effectively build environmental stewardship and guide public land management decisions. Management implicationsFindings from this study provide public land management agencies with insight on what people value in protected areas, the locations they appreciate, and how their experiences may influence their behaviors after returning home. We contend that “nature-based values” that encompass recreation, ecological integrity, wilderness, and scientific qualities of nature are particularly important to visitors and can provide a basis for communication about high and low priority places, as well as spatially explicit guidance for management agencies. Also, we show that as nature-based values increase, so do the reported and intended actions of people who visit Denali National Park and Preserve. As such, these multiple values of nature should be harnessed to inspire and energize more environmentally friendly practices in the future.

Incentivizing Employee Pro-Environmental Behaviour: Harnessing the Potential of Green Rewards

The global ecosystem is experiencing swift degradation as a result of climate change propelled by human actions. This degradation has given rise to resource scarcity, a decline in biodiversity, and global warming. There is scientific consensus that climate change is anthropogenic (caused by humans) and that the power to mitigate it lies in human behaviour change. As the overseer of human resources in every organisation, the HRM function is facing mounting pressure to align its practices with environmental management in order to effectively address and reduce the organisation's carbon footprint. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the influence of green employee rewards on employee pro-environmental behaviour in public universities in Kenya. The study developed a measurement model based on the Green Five Taxonomy to evaluate diverse employee green behaviours. It utilised multi-stage sampling, where the purposive sampling technique was used to select three public universities that embraced green HRM practices, followed by stratified random sampling to draw 123 participants from three strata: top management, middle-level management, and others (teaching and non-teaching). The research employed a correlational design, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, with data collected through online questionnaires. Results revealed a moderately strong, positive correlation between green employee rewards and employee pro-environmental behaviour (r =.545, p<.01), indicating a significant, positive link between the two. Additionally, ANOVA results showed that green employee rewards significantly and positively predict pro-environmental behaviour among employees (F (1, 88) = 37.126, p<.001). The study concluded that green employee rewards have a notable and positive influence on employee pro-environmental behaviour. However, it identified gaps in acknowledging and incentivizing environmental efforts among employees. Nonetheless, respondents still exhibited significant pro-environmental behaviour, even in the absence of explicit green rewards, an indication of employees' private green activism rooted in intrinsic motivation. The study made key recommendations among them: cash incentives, eco awards, eco-sponsorships, green recognition boards, and sustainable branded corporate gifts to nurture a sustainability culture.

Affective responses drive the impact neglect in sustainable behavior

We need unparalleled human behavioral changes to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, recent studies suggest that people are not good at identifying mitigative behaviors that are effective in reducing carbon emissions. Thus, even when there is an intention to engage in climate action, people are not necessarily making the most effective choices. This suggests that there is an impact of neglecting in evaluative judgments about mitigative behaviors. Here, using an online survey (N= 555), we show that people have a rather poor understanding of the mitigation potential of human behaviors, and both impact judgments and the likelihood of adoption of mitigative behaviors are largely influenced by emotional processes. These findings have potential implications for how to motivate impactful climate action in the future and point toward the importance to fully understand how affect and emotions influence impact judgments and pro-environmental behavior.

The impact of the digital environment on eco-friendly behavioural change towards nature: Exploring the concept of forest bathing without forest

The article quantitatively investigates transformative changes in human behavioral patterns about nature due to using digital forests in relaxation practices. In the era of COVID-19, when physical outings and social interactions have been limited, there has been a growing trend for people to engage in digital interactions with nature. This article aims to quantify the impact of people’s behavior and interaction in the digital space on the change of personal behavioral patterns in the physical natural environment, as well as to analyze the potential effects of digital “bathing in the forest”. Since in work it is advisable to take into account the influence of hidden factors, structural equation modeling was used for the needs of this study. The primary data were the answers of 300 respondents, which were obtained based on the results of a survey of people in the capital region of Japan. A five-point Likert scale was used to evaluate and analyze respondents’ opinions. The internal reliability of the questionnaire scales was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. The work offers an integral indicator for assessing the personal characteristics of individuals, based on which two groups of respondents were formed – extroverts (the index is higher than the median) and introverts (the index is lower than the median). The study analyzed the pathways that lead to changes in human behavior caused by the development of digital natural relaxation methods. The work established a statistically significant relationship between the effect of digital “bathing in the forest” and a change in human behavior (correlation coefficient 0.872). According to the results of structural modeling, it was found that digital “forest bathing” has a significant mediating effect on the promotion of pro-environmental behavior (correlation coefficient is 0.634) and that users who regularly experience nature in cyberspace are more likely to change their behavior concerning nature. It is substantiated that people closer to introversion are more actively involved in the digital space and interact with others, and significantly more often change their behavior towards the environment. This study is a rare contribution demonstrating the potential of enjoying digital “forest bathing” to induce environmentally oriented behavior, even in the physical absence of forests.

Revisiting the archaeological investigations of rice domestication in China during 10,000–7,000 BP in a human behavioral context

In East Asian archaeology, initial domestication and early dispersal of rice have continuously attracted scholarly interest in the recent decade, which has generated abundant new materials and revised opinions. This paper starts with a refreshed understanding of the domestication concept that emphasizes the dominant role of human behavior in the mutualistic relationship. A thorough review of the approaches to and data on reconstructing the rice story during 10,000–7,000 BP demonstrates the causally chained changes in phenotype, genotype, and human behavior in the establishment of domestication. Future studies will benefit from the revised paradigm, which has great potential to extract archaeological information to explain multiple mechanisms in rice domestication.

A-292 The Use of Third-Party Controls During Covid-19 Pandemic: An Alternative to the Lack of Other Respiratory Infections

Abstract Background Since SARS-CoV-2 spread widely around the world, previously well-established infectious patterns have changed. The introduction of a new respiratory pathogen, together with changes in human behaviour, such as restrictions on social interactions and the use of facemasks, led to a decrease in the circulation of influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses. This phenomenon, together with the collapse of the healthcare system, significantly decreased the availability of certain types of samples for use in clinical studies to evaluate the performance of in vitro diagnostic products. To overcome this issue, EQA programmes are an excellent alternative. This material has been designed to be used in any equipment, kit or following any specific protocol, as the aim is to mimic human specimens. Thus, the CE-IVD Vitassay qPCR FluA + FluB + RSV, an assay for the detection and differentiation of Flu A, Flu B and RSV, has been routinely tested with material from QCMD programmes containing different strains and serotypes of Influenza and RSV. Methods Vitassay qPCR FluA + FluB + RSV (Vitassay Healthcare SLU, Huesca, Spain) is a commercial kit consisting in a ready-to-use lyophilized master mix. This kit has been blindly tested with controls from 4 QCMD panels including RSV, influenza A and B (2020–2022). Each panel consist of 10 specimens in transport media, which were handled following the programme indications. RNA was extracted using automatic extraction (MagDEA Dx SV kit on the 12gC or Vitassay Microorganism-NA Isolation kit on the KingFisher Flex Automatic platform). Amplification was performed on BioRad systems (CFX96 and CFX96 OPUS). Interpretation of the results was done following manufacturer’s instructions. Sensitivity, specificity, and Likelihood Ratio have been calculated with a 95% confidence interval using the software MetaDiSC 1.4. Results In total, 40 human-like samples from QCMD EQA programmes were analysed with Vitassay qPCR Flu A + Flu B + RSV during Covid-19 Pandemic. Vitassay reported 14 Influenza A positive samples, 11 influenza B and 12 RSV positive samples; all of them were correctly detected when compared the initial characterisation. For Flu A sensitivity and specificity were of 1 (0,76–1) and 1 (0.86–1), LR+ 52.2 (3.34–814.62), LR− 0.034 (0.002–0.51). For Flu B sensitivity and specificity were of 1 (0.71–1) and 1 (0.88–1), LR+ 57.5 (3.67–900.49), LR− 0.042 (0.003–0.63). For RSV sensitivity and specificity were of 1 (0,73–1) and 1 (0.87–1), LR+ 55.76 (3.56–872.35), LR− 0.039 (0.003–0.59). Conclusions Third party controls are an excellent alternative to clinical samples, especially in extraordinary circumstances. In addition, they allow to introduce different strains and variants, such as the QCMD specimens tested. Among these, we could find a such as H1N1 and H3N2 Influenza A serotypes, Influenza B Yamagata and Victoria and RSV A and B, which were properly detected by Vitassay multiplex. In addition, Vitassay extraction kit showed satisfactory results as all samples were properly detected when used in combination with Vitassay qPCR Flu A + Flu B + RSV.

Foxes in Retrospect—Unraveling Human-Fox Relationships through Fox Tooth Ornaments in the Swabian Jura

Personal ornaments play an important role in our understanding of human cultural and behavioral change during the Upper Paleolithic, providing insights into intangible aspects of human cultural behavior. Some ornament forms are better studied than others, and fox tooth ornaments, despite their frequent occurrence and broad spatiotemporal span, are relatively under-addressed. Here we present the first comprehensive study of 40 perforated fox teeth recovered from four cave sites in southwestern Germany. This region’s rich record of symbolic representations, as well as evidence of long-standing human–fox relationships, make the Swabian Jura an ideal case study for investigations of fox tooth ornaments. By applying a holistic approach, including geometric morphometrics and traceology coupled with experimental archaeology, we show that fox teeth were mostly perforated by bifacial scraping and grooving and were worn as ornaments. We discuss the role of foxes within human socio-symbolic and paleoenvironmental systems during the Upper Paleolithic of the Swabian Jura, and we contextualize our results within the broader context of sites across Europe during the Upper Paleolithic. The data we provide are in line with general trends observed across the continent and offer insight into the role of foxes during the Upper Paleolithic, especially regarding human subsistence, cultural expression, and ornament production.

From Reward to Anhedonia-Dopamine Function in the Global Mental Health Context.

When "hijacked" by compulsive behaviors that affect the reward and stress centers of the brain, functional changes in the dopamine circuitry occur as the consequence of pathological brain adaptation. As a brain correlate of mental health, dopamine has a central functional role in behavioral regulation from healthy reward-seeking to pathological adaptation to stress in response to adversity. This narrative review offers a spotlight view of the transition from healthy reward function, under the control of dopamine, to the progressive deregulation of this function in interactions with other brain centers and circuits, producing what may be called an anti-reward brain state. How such deregulation is linked to specific health-relevant behaviors is then explained and linked to pandemic-related adversities and the stresses they engendered. The long lockdown periods where people in social isolation had to rely on drink, food, and digital rewards via the internet may be seen as the major triggers of changes in motivation and reward-seeking behavior worldwide. The pathological adaptation of dopamine-mediated reward circuitry in the brain is discussed. It is argued that, when pushed by fate and circumstance into a physiological brain state of anti-reward, human behavior changes and mental health is affected, depending on individual vulnerabilities. A unified conceptual account that places dopamine function at the centre of the current global mental health context is proposed.

Dealing with change: Retraining strategies to improve load forecasting in individual households under Covid-19 restrictions

Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed to control its spreading had a profound impact on several aspects of society. Studies on energy consumption show a pattern shift during the first stages of the pandemic, mainly due to the abrupt and forced change in human behaviour. For some residential consumers, such changes translated into higher energy expenses, which could be avoided through optimal energy management. This, however, depends on accurate load forecasting models whose performance tends to decrease under drastic pattern changes. This paper aims to improve forecasting techniques based on machine learning methods to assess its impact on the accuracy of day-ahead electrical load forecasting from individual residential households from the city of Barcelona, Spain, during a lockdown situation. Support Vector Machine (SVM) is the proposed algorithm for the short-term hourly forecasting of the households’ electricity consumption of the following 24 h. The algorithm’s accuracy over different pandemic periods – Lockdown, Reopening and New Normal – is evaluated using different retraining strategies based on literature findings.

Impact of forestry on environment and human health: an evidence-based investigation.

There is an increasing interest in the health effects of the forest. Without active participation in forestry, conflicts between the various stakeholders are foreseeable. The impact of forests on human life is unforgettable, and everyone gets enormous benefits from trees and greenery. COVID-19 has caused many changes in human behavior, which needs much attention. Environmental change's impact is considered a better solution and influences human behavior. Scientists around the globe are conducting research experiments on trees and the effect of forestry on human health, which is increasing in terms of social, ecological, and economic services. Trees provide full support to enhance the quality of life and minimize air pollution. Forests must be noticed to get benefits (e.g., carbon storage, fruits, human health considerations, economic benefits, and biodiversity). This research aims to explain the area of forest and health from the perspective of Saudi Arabian forestry and develop strategic measures for the proactive design of this topic. The research entailed expert interviews with forestry representatives and a quantitative survey of medical students. Our findings show that implementing strategic measures, such as establishing a forest and health, improves health and eliminates air pollution. It shows many other establishment and planning strategies, such as the use of professional visitor monitoring, the development of product innovations, the use of digitalization, and the development of integrated forest management.

Characteristics of cat semi-owners.

Unowned 'stray' domestic cats threaten wildlife, as well as create a community nuisance and contribute to high rates of euthanasia in animal shelters. These cats can experience poor welfare, contribute to the pet cat population and compromise attempts to control feral cats. However, many unowned domestic cats are cared for by semi-owners who do not consider they own these cats; therefore, semi-owners are a potentially important target population for human behaviour change interventions. The present study aimed to describe the characteristics of cat semi-owners and compare these with the general population of cat owners and non-cat owners to inform future cat management interventions. An online questionnaire open to all residents of New South Wales, Australia was developed and advertised. Respondents were asked 'do you care for other free-roaming or stray cats (not including the cats you own)?', whether they owned cats, about characteristics of their home and their agreement with 15 capability, social opportunity and motivation (COM) items relating to cat containment. Questionnaire responses were received from 8708 people, including 588 semi-owners (7%). Semi-owners were significantly more likely to be female, live in urban areas, live in lower socioeconomic areas and rent their home. Most semi-owners also owned their own cats and owned more cats than non-semi-owners. Semi-owners of unowned 'stray' cats are a valuable potential target audience for human behaviour change interventions. Understanding that these semi-owners often have their own cats, might already be overwhelmed with cat-caring responsibilities and are disproportionately from lower socioeconomic backgrounds should guide intervention design. A nuanced approach is needed that prioritises the wellbeing of cats and semi-owners for semi-owners to 'buy in'. Any intervention should also recognise that semi-owners often face multiple, complex barriers to neutering or claiming ownership of the cats they care for, especially cost, and trust in the authorities.

Influence of human development and predators on patterns of Virginia opossum occupancy, abundance, and activity

AbstractAs human development continues to expand, wildlife must relocate or adapt to survive. Many mammalian mesopredators, such as the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), have adapted to living alongside human development. Furthermore, top‐down predation pressure may be altered in nuanced ways within the human environment. Species such as opossums may be shielded from predation by human development or behavioral changes in predators. Understanding how dominant and subordinate mesopredators co‐exist across natural and developed areas will provide insight into how wildlife communities are structured. Our objective was to evaluate how opossum occupancy, abundance, and activity were associated with human development and the relative abundance of their predators. We used data from a nationwide camera trapping study, Snapshot USA, to estimate opossum occupancy, abundance, and activity. We related these measures to the surrounding landscape and urbanization variables. We found that opossum occupancy was positively associated with anthropogenic sound (a surrogate for human activity). Furthermore, opossums in heavily forested areas were more likely to be detected in locations with higher predicted anthropogenic sounds. In areas with a high density of human housing, opossum relative abundance increased when predator abundance increased. We also found opossums were strictly nocturnal and shifted their activity to earlier in the evening in the presence of high predator abundance. Our results suggest that humans and their urban development can have multidimensional impacts on opossum behavior and occurrence, and could facilitate changes in predator–prey dynamics. Future research should evaluate if the association of opossums with urban areas is due to human‐subsidized resources or caused by reduced mortality from altered predator–prey dynamics.

Public health interventions in the control of emerging diseases

There has been an unprecedented increase in the burden of emerging diseases in the recent past. This has been attributed to changes in environment, human behavior, increased travel and human intrusion into the sylvatic cycle which has facilitated the emergence of novel and resistant strains of pathogens. A public health intervention is any effort or policy that is designed to improve mental and physical health of the population. This article focusses on the various public health interventions like vaccination, nutritional intervention, hygiene and sanitation, health awareness which has been and can contribute immensely to curb the rising threat of emerging diseases. Much research has been going on regarding the vaccines against new emerging diseases like SARS-CoV, Ebola, Lassa fever, Nipah, Chikungunya and Rift valley fever. Nutritional interventions has proven to be of much benefit in low and middle income countries because of its synergistic effect with infections. Quarantine and sanitation measures were highly effective strategies for control of COVID-19 pandemic. These preventive interventions along with a robust public health infrastructure can serve as an effective barrier in the spread of many emerging strains of diseases.

Characterizing Human–Automated Vehicle Interactions: An Investigation into Car-Following Behavior

Automated vehicles are expected to influence human drivers’ behavior. Accordingly, capturing such changes is critical for planning and operation purposes. With regard to car-following behavior, a key question is whether existing car-following models can replicate these changes in human behavior. Using a data set that was collected from the car-following behavior of human drivers when following automated vehicles, this paper offers a robust methodology based on the concept of dynamic time warping to investigate the critical parameters that can be used to capture changes in human behavior. The results indicate that spacing can best substantiate such changes. Moreover, calibration and validation of the intelligent driver model (IDM) suggest its inability to capture changes in human behavior in response to automated vehicles. Thus, an extension of the IDM that explicitly models stochasticity in the behavior of individual drivers is applied, and the results show such a model can identify a reduction in uncertainty when following an automated vehicle. This finding also has implications for a stochastic extension to other models when analyzing and simulating a mixed-autonomy traffic flow environment.

Aquaterrestrial Recolonization

In this paper, we introduce the interactive installation Aquaterrestrial Recolonization as an artistic response to rising climate change concerns and trigger the audience's thoughts and discussions. In the project, we are recording and archiving the current state of the dead coral reefs and feeding artificial intelligence with that data to be able to visualize the virtual 3D dimensional recolonized coral reefs, relieved from human devastation and behaviour from the past and conduct changes in the future. We aim to preserve the current state of the Bahamian coral reefs and use artificial intelligence to return to the planet parts mankind has destroyed and affected the future with necessary human behavioural changes. Our AI Environmentalist is designed to be a chronologist, provocateur, and uncompromised planet Earth's protector.

Breaking prolonged sitting increases 24-h physical activity and self-perceived energy levels but does not acutely affect cognition in healthy adults.

It is unknown whether predetermined (un)interrupted sitting within a laboratory setting will induce compensatory changes in human behaviours (energy intake and physical activity) once people return to a free-living environment. The effects of breaking up prolonged sitting on cognition are also unclear. Twenty-four (male = 13) healthy participants [age 31 ± 8 y, BMI 22.7 ± 2.3kg/m2 (mean ± SD)] completed 320min mixed-feeding trials under prolonged sitting (SIT) or with 2min walking at 6.4km/h every 20min (ACTIVE), in a randomised crossover design. Human behaviours were recorded post-trial under free-living conditions until midnight. Cognitive performance was evaluated before and immediately after SIT and ACTIVE trials. Self-perceived sensations (appetite, energy and mood) and finger prick blood glucose levels were collected at regular intervals throughout the trials. There were no differences between trials in eating behaviour and spontaneous physical activity (both, p > 0.05) in free-living conditions, resulting in greater overall total step counts [11,680 (10740,12620) versus 6049 (4845,7253) steps] and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) over 24-h period in ACTIVE compared to SIT (all, p < 0.05). Greater self-perceived levels of energy and lower blood glucose iAUC were found in ACTIVE trial compared to SIT trial (both, p < 0.05). No differences were found in cognitive performance between trials (all, p > 0.05). Breaking up sitting does not elicit subsequent behavioural compensation, resulting in greater 24-h step counts and PAEE in healthy adults. Breaking up sitting reduces postprandial glucose concentrations and elicits greater self-perceived energy levels, but these positive effects do not acutely translate into improved cognitive function.