Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

If your kid is trick-or-treating in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and is a little pudgy, maybe he or she will come home with a 

"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," a woman, identified only as Cheryl, told a 

The Halloween fat letter is probably bogus. This is the station and program (Y94's "Morning Playhouse") that almost exactly a year ago gave us 

 a caller who was supposedly worried deer crossing signs were 

 isn't buying the Halloween fat letter, saying it sounds like a radio station stunt -- but then adds that it doesn't really matter.

The inspiration for the "fat letter" may come from schools in Massachusetts and California, which sent letters home to parents of the skeletally challenged. 

"That's not something that someone can judge -- the health of someone -- just by looking at them," North Dakota State University assistant professor of clinical psychology Dr. Katie Gordon told 

"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."

NewsCut

Bob Collins

Author

A "fat letter" to trick-or-treaters may be a joke, but the sentiment hits close to reality.

Halloween candy ‘fat letter’ may be a stunt, but child obesity problem is real

Go Deeper.

Like this?