Powered By
Finding the right mattress for your body and sleeping habits can be a challenge. If you live with a higher body weight or back pain, choosing a mattress can be even more difficult. There’s no single best mattress for heavy people with back pain, but it can help to know what to keep in mind when looking for a new mattress for your bed.
Sleep quality is especially important for people living with obesity. Not getting enough sleep can lead to weight gain — and weight gain can lead to lack of sleep, fatigue, and sleep apnea. If you think your mattress might be part of the problem, or if it’s time to get a new one for better sleep, here’s what you need to know.
Several factors about your body can affect what kind of mattress works best for you. Your body weight and usual sleeping position are two of the most important factors to consider when choosing a mattress.
People with different body weights often need different types of mattresses. Because your body weight affects how much you sink into the bed, mattress firmness can be relative. For example, a person with a lighter body weight might notice that a mattress feels firmer than it does to someone with a higher body weight.
It’s also helpful to understand the difference between firmness and support. Firmness refers to how a mattress feels — it’s subjective. Support is about how well the mattress keeps your spine aligned. This can be measured, so it’s more objective.
A person with a higher body weight may prefer a mattress that feels firmer and offers more support. This helps prevent sagging and promotes better spinal alignment. Mattress companies rate firmness levels differently. People with lower body weights may need mattresses that are softer, to alleviate pressure points like shoulders and hip bones. They also may not need as much support to keep their spine in the right position through the night.
Thicker mattresses may be better for people with a higher body weight. Some mattresses also offer extra support around the edge of the bed. This helps prevent the sides from collapsing when you sit on them. This extra edge support can be especially helpful for people with a higher body weight.
If you share a bed with a partner whose body weight is very different from yours, look for a mattress that allows you to customize firmness and support. Some brands even offer split-firmness mattresses, so you can both get what you need.
Your sleeping position also plays a big role in choosing the right mattress. Since most people spend about a third of every day asleep, it’s important to get proper support during that time.
In general:
Without the right kind of support for your preferred sleep position, you may wake up with back pain. Because living with obesity can also lead to back pain and other joint pain, finding the right bed is especially important.
There are several types of mattresses to consider. The most common are foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses.
There’s no single “best” type of mattress for heavier people. Everyone’s body and comfort preferences are different. Whenever possible, try a mattress out in person, rather than relying only on online recommendations. Most good mattress companies offer generous return policies, so you can try one at home and exchange it if it doesn’t feel right.
Here’s what you need to know about the different mattress types.
Foam mattresses are made up of multiple foam layers. They tend to feel like softer mattresses, even if they’re very supportive, because your body sinks down into them slightly.
One common type is memory foam, which is designed to mold to the shape of your body and then slowly return to its original form. If you’re considering a memory foam mattress and you have a higher body weight, look for one made with high-density foam or labeled as rated for higher body weights. Many sleepers with higher body weights find that these mattresses have the right combination of firmness and additional support.
One potential drawback is that foam mattresses don’t always offer strong edge support.
Latex mattresses often feel less soft than foam mattresses, even when they have a similar firmness rating. Natural latex is also known for being durable and long-lasting. These are also fairly popular among people with higher body weights.
An older study found that latex mattresses were better than foam ones at pressure relief and distributing weight evenly. However, mattress technology has advanced since then, so newer foam and hybrid models may now offer similar benefits.
Innerspring mattresses have metal coils inside, surrounded by softer materials (called comfort layers) that provide cushioning. These mattresses tend to be good at supporting the body but may not relieve pressure as well as foam or latex beds. With the right design, though, innerspring mattress can work well for people with a higher body weight.
Hybrid mattresses combine features of other mattress types. Many of them have coils for support with foam or latex layers for comfort, though some pair foam and latex together instead. Because hybrids vary widely in their construction, their feel and performance can differ from model to model. Some people with higher body weights find hybrids to be a good balance of support and cushioning.
In general, medium-firm mattresses tend to help people with back pain find the right balance between comfort and support. But what feels comfortable for one person may not feel right for another. The best way to know is to try mattresses yourself and see what helps you wake up pain-free and well-rested.
Testing a mattress doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. If possible, order from a company that offers a free trial and has a good warranty. That way, you can sleep on it for a while and return it if it doesn’t meet your needs.
If you can’t do that, or you want to test mattresses in-store, make sure to take your time. Visit the store when it’s less busy so you can test out different mattresses without feeling rushed. Lie down in your usual sleep position for 10 to 15 minutes to get a realistic sense of how the bed feels. It’s perfectly reasonable — and encouraged — to do this before making a decision.
While you’re lying on a mattress, pay close attention to how your body feels. Do you notice any soreness or numbness? If so, that bed is probably not the right fit for you. Take notice of how your spine feels. If possible, bring someone with you who can check your spinal alignment to make sure everything looks properly supported.
Keep in mind that words used in mattress marketing aren’t regulated. Any brand can claim that a bed is “orthopedic” or offers “lumbar support,” but saying it doesn’t mean that it’s true. It also doesn’t mean that the mattress will work for you. The only reliable way to know if a mattress will help you sleep well is to try it out yourself.
On MyObesityTeam, people share their experiences with obesity, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
How did you find a mattress that supported your body well and relieved your back pain? Let others know in the comments below.
Get updates directly to your inbox.
Continue with Facebook
Sign up with your email
Become a member to get even more
Join
We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.
You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.