Charles R. Attwood

Charles Raymond Attwood (1932 8 September 1998) was an American board-certified pediatrician and vegetarianism activist who promoted a low-fat diet.

Biography

Attwood was born near New Edinburg, Arkansas. He was the son of Mrs. Raymond Attwood. In the 1990s, Attwood was instrumental in defending some vegan parents whose children were removed by social workers from the California Department of Children's Services. Benjamin Spock wrote the Foreword. Attwood took a leave of absence from his practice to promote his book, and traveled over the ensuing three and a half years until his death. Gerber's market share dropped from 85% to 65% in the months following a national news conference on the practice. Shortly thereafter Gerber discontinued this 40-year practice, changing their labels to reflect 100% fruit and 100% vegetables.

Attwood established and helped build the vegetarian website, VegSource.org. Attwood argued that a low-fat vegetarian diet could reduce the risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Personal life

Attwood was married to his publicist, Judy B. Calmes Attwood. The couple had seven children.

Attwood died at his home in Greenville, South Carolina, at the age of 66 from complications of a malignant brain tumor. He is buried in Springwood Cemetery in Greenville.

Selected publications

Dr. Attwood's Low-Fat Prescription for Kids (1995) A Vegetarian Doctor Speaks Out (1998)