Using Statistical Methods to Estimate Coefficients in Allometric Models By Krista Watts Abstract: Allometric models are relevant to a variety of fields; for instance, they are used to classify overfatness in children, to determine energy needs for the Army, and how much of a drug is required to dose different sized patients. We will examine three recent studies that used statistical methods to estimate coefficients from allometric models with applications in diverse fields. Body Mass Index (BMI) uses the fact that in adult, European populations weight is generally proportional to height squared. It has long been recognized that BMI is highly correlated with percent body fat in adult, European populations, however, it is not well tested in other populations. Using data from a nationwide study, we examine the appropriate scaling relationship in children. With data from a similar nationwide study in India, we consider whether weight scales to height squared in tribal populations and the general Indian population. Finally, we investigate the relationship between a variety of biometric measurements (head circumference, leg length, etc.) and height and how those measurements might differ based on gender. Bio: Colonel Krista Watts is an Academy Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the United States Military Academy (USMA). She is a 1996 graduate of USMA with a Bachelor’s of Science in Operations Research. Krista also holds a Master’s of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School and a PhD in Biostatistics from Harvard University. She is the current Director of the Operations Research and Statistics Program in the Mathematical Science Department at West Point and serves on several other committees and governance bodies at USMA. She has been an active duty Army officer since 1996, serving in a variety of tactical and operational assignments. Her research interests focus on applied statistical analysis and include Bayesian Methods for Effect Estimation, and analysis of relationships between nutrition, fitness, and obesity in the general population and the military. Presented at the 2019 New York Conference (May 10th, 2019)