[caryatid]

I have never met an obese homeschooler who has been homeschooled from the beginning. In fact, I can't even remember a chubby one.

Even though I have never had a child in the local schools ... I have complained loudly and bitterly to all who will listen about the garbage fed to children in the cafeterias of the public schools. Fried this, fried that, chicken nuggets, everything heavy on "starches" [carbohydrates] ... pizza, hamburgers, sugary sweet rolls and/or desserts, sodas or other sweetened drinks instead of milk ... no fruit, no vegetables [french frys do NOT count] ... and, in this poor county, I know that some children eat both breakfast and lunch at school and go home to indifferent parents and no proper meal at night.

All my ranting has accomplished only one thing. The local newspaper has stopped publishing menus for the schools.

You are not seeing obese/chubby homeschooled children because those are children of engaged parents who put a great deal of thought into managing their children's lives. Many parents of children in public schools see their children only as an inconvenience to be fobbed off on the schools.

[wintertime]

You are not seeing obese/chubby homeschooled children because those are children of engaged parents who put a great deal of thought into managing their children's lives.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Homeschoolers have plenty of time for PLAY. Homeschooling only takes 2 to 3 hours a day. They rest of time can be spent, skating, running, building forts, biking, skateboarding,jumping, climbing, swinging,,,and many other large muscle and strong bone building activities.

Homeschooling IS the most natural and healthy way to raise a child to responsible and educationally and emotionally secure adulthood.

[Amelia]

I have complained loudly and bitterly to all who will listen about the garbage fed to children in the cafeterias of the public schools. Fried this, fried that, chicken nuggets, everything heavy on "starches" [carbohydrates] ... pizza, hamburgers, sugary sweet rolls and/or desserts, sodas or other sweetened drinks instead of milk ... no fruit, no vegetables [french frys do NOT count] ... and, in this poor county, I know that some children eat both breakfast and lunch at school and go home to indifferent parents and no proper meal at night.

You're mostly correct, at least as it applies to the schools I've seen. Around here, they are served milk or juice, but can buy sodas from vending machines. Our students get several choices, and most seem to gravitate to the least healthy choice. :-(

Many parents of children in public schools see their children only as an inconvenience to be fobbed off on the schools.

...which is one reason public schools have such a hard time teaching some of them and getting them to behave. And, they aren't all poor children.

If we did away with public schools, what do you suppose would happen to those children?