Katie Robinson, PhD, RD | Source | Medical Science Liaison Manager at Abbott Laboratories
Katie Robinson, PhD, RD
Dr. Robinson completed her bachelor’s degree in dietetics at Iowa State University and her dietetic internship at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). During her time at UIUC, she also earned a Master of Public Health and a doctorate in nutritional sciences, taught multiple undergraduate and graduate courses and assisted with coordinating the undergraduate didactic program in dietetics. She then completed postdoctoral training at University of Iowa’s Diabetes Research Center. Her research investigated the impact of nutrition and genetics on outcomes of behavioral and surgical weight loss interventions.
Dr. Robinson is a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician and has served as a workgroup member for the Evidence Analysis Library of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is an advocate for dietitians in research and continues to publish in the areas of obesity, malnutrition and critical care nutrition.
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Abbott Laboratories
Medical Science Liaison Manager
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"If you don't get enough protein through your diet, your body may break down muscle to supply the protein it needs, but this muscle plays an important role in daily activities, movement, energy metabolism, and overall health," Robinson explains. "Some people—like older adults, people recovering from an illness or injury, or individuals on a weight loss journey—may have higher protein needs than others."
Robinson notes that as you shed pounds, prioritizing protein becomes increasingly essential. "As the weight decreases, muscle may also be lost. Research suggests that 11 to 50 percent of weight loss can be from lean mass. To offset this loss, it's best to exercise and consume adequate amounts of high-quality protein to help preserve muscle. In fact, people pursuing weight loss may need at least 50 percent more protein than normal to maintain muscle mass," she tells Best Life.