While most people do enjoy a sweet treat once in a while, Krispy Kreme’s latest promotion of giving away a free donut a day to anyone who shows proof of being vaccinated for COVID-19, may contribute to obesity. Furthermore, this could even put someone at risk should they contract the coronavirus.
According to health officials, obesity is listed as a high-risk factor for COVID-19. Krispy Kreme’s original glazed donut is 190 calories. To burn 190 calories, you have to swim for 16 minutes, bike for 29 minutes, jog for 22 minutes, or walk for 53 minutes. This is based on a 35-year-old female, who is 5’7 and weighs 144lbs. Although this promotion has a positive factor, which is motivating people to be vaccinated, it doesn’t help that Krispy Kreme is still supporting a major health issue.
Over the years, the number of Americans that are obese has skyrocketed. According to an article written in 2012 by Harvard Medical School, “in less than 40 years, the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. has increased by over 50%, so that two of every three American adults are now overweight or obese. Even worse, the obesity epidemic is rapidly spreading to our children.” Since this article was written in 2012 and we are now in 2021, the numbers then and now have changed increasingly.
On January 21, 2021, SingleCare.com wrote a news article on the topic of Obesity in American. They explained why obesity is damaging and why this isn’t something to be taken lightly. The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity in adults from 2017-18 was 42.4% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). By 2030, an estimated 20% of the world’s population will be obese (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2016). About 18.5% of children ages 2 to 19 are considered obese in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019).
In my opinion, while the promotion that Krispy Kreme is currently having is a sweet treat for anyone to have, it overshadows the fact that it’s also a main health concern for those who are high-risk patients.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of being able to get a free donut…I mean who doesn’t? However, it’s not something I’d want to have often due to the health risks that come with it. As we continue to go down tiers, it’s important for people to get vaccinated while taking the proper precautions to keep those around us safe.