Why I Hate Halloween

3. The Empty Calories

Halloween used to be the one time during the year when parents—just for one night—gave children the permission to fill up on candy. Go ahead, have three pieces, have four! Indeed, what a treat it was. But with the current obesity epidemic in America, does anyone really think children are so deprived that we need a holiday during which to indulge them?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Of course, Halloween isn't to blame—not entirely. But one public health expert estimates that the average U.S. child collects up to 7,000 calories while trick-or-treating. "Though Halloween alone is not going to be a major overall contributor to our children's health, any behaviors they learn can have an effect," said Donna Arnett, head of the department of epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health.

But there's healthy candy, you say. Ha! You try handing out Fruit Roll-Ups or individual packets of low-fat popcorn on Halloween. Even the parents will regard you with suspicion and scorn.