The associations between BMI, body appreciation, body image flexibility, sleep duration and loneliness in workers in southern China

As middle-aged individuals exhibit higher levels of loneliness. Policymakers should prioritize workplace mental health programs that combine body positivity workshops, sleep hygiene education, and peer support networks. For example, incorporating body image flexibility training into existing employee wellness programs to reduce isolation. In addition, public campaigns to combat weight stigma, such as media literacy programs, are urgently needed to address the social factors that contribute to loneliness.