"I just want to send a message to the parents of kids that are really overweight. 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," she said.
She emailed the letter after calling in to local radio station Y94.
"They 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," said J.T., Y-94 Program/Music Director .
"I'm contributing to their health problems and really, their kids are everybody's kids. It's a whole village," the letter writer said.
North Dakota State University Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology Dr. Katie Gordon studies eating disorders and says that children and adolescents in particular are very conscious of fitting in with peers. She says the letter might hurt more than help.
"It's just that kind of thing that for some kids, if they're vulnerable, might trigger major problems," she said.
"Here, you get candy. You get a letter. Like that kid hasn't suffered enough?" said resident Julie Roland.
"I would say that it's nobody's business really," said resident Jesse Lehto.
"This is more of an issue that parents should be working with kids on. It seems inappropriate to me," said resident Kent Wild.
Gordon says it's important to remember that one's appearance does not necessarily reflect whether or not a person has healthy eating and exercising habits.
