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WEST FARGO, N.D. — A North Dakota woman won't be handing out candy to every trick-or-treater that comes to her door this Thursday — she says she intends to give all the kids she deems overweight a fat-shaming letter instead.
"I just want to send a message to the parents of kids that are really overweight," a caller identified as Cheryl said in an interview with Y-94 morning radio. "I think it's just really irresponsible of parents to send them out looking for free candy just 'cause all the other kids are doing it."
Local program director JT said the station received a call from Cheryl who wanted to discuss trick-or-treating and what she deems are 'moderately obese' kids.
"The (Djs) were chatting today and got a call from Cheryl out of the blue who really wanted to voice her opinion about obesity and that it really takes an entire community to solve the obesity challenge," Y-94 Program and Music Director JT said.
The call and the letter are possibly a prank orchestrated by the radio station, but the letter made the rounds on social media. It reads as follows:
"Happy Halloween and Happy Holidays Neighbor! You are probably wondering why your child has this note; have you ever heard the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child"? I am disappointed in "the village" of Fargo Moorhead, West Fargo. Your child is, in my opinion, moderately obese and should not be consuming sugar and treats to the extent of some children this Halloween season. My hope is that you will step up as a parent and ration candy this Halloween and not allow your child to continue these unhealthy eating habits. Thank you."
The letter is accompanied by a smiling Jack-o-lantern, as to ease the blow of the forthcoming harsh and judgmental words. Cheryl defended her letter and position during the radio interview.
"I'm contributing to their health problems and really, their kids are everybody's kids," Cheryl said on-air. "It's a whole village."
North Dakota State University assistant professor of clinical psychology Dr. Kate Gordan said the letter will mostly like hinder than help the problem.
"It's just that kind of thing that for some kids, if they're vulnerable, might trigger major problems," she told Valleynewslive.com.
Gordan, who studies eating disorders, said that an individual child's weight is only the problem of the parents and pediatricians and that you can't judge a child's complete health based on their appearance.
"That's not something that someone can judge- the health of someone- just by looking at them," Gordan told Valleynewslive.com "I think that's the main thing. Even if a child is overweight, they might be very healthy because of what they eat and how they exercise. It's ineffective anyway because it's not likely to help the kid."
