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BOUNCE

BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

Behavior Opportunities Uniting Nutrition, Coaching & Exercise

BOUNCE is a community outreach and research initiative at the UH College of Education dedicated to reducing obesity-related diseases among underserved communities in Houston.

BOUNCE News

  • Student at 2025 American Psychological Association

    Groundbreaking BOUNCE Research at APA 2025

    At the 2025 American Psychological Association Conference in Denver, Colorado, Tamal showcased BOUNCE’s impactful work by presenting two research papers. He explored “The Role of Self-Efficacy and Regulation Difficulties in Predicting Academic Procrastination” and “Emotional Eating in Hispanic Adolescents: The Role of Anxiety and Sleep Quality,” sparking thoughtful discussion among attendees.

  • A chef and intern preparing healthy food for the Houston Community

    Nutrition Ambassador Program (NAP)

    The Nutrition Ambassador Program recently hosted a nutrition workshop where the BOUNCE team, alongside a chef, prepared delicious snacks and meals, including the flavorful "Sabrosos" Lechuga Tacos. This event was made possible through the partnership with the Hispanic Health Coalition and generous funding from Direct Relief.

  • A group of people receiving awards

    Latino Health Summit, People Choice Poster Awards

    Mr. Ellis Odu and Mr. Paul Daniel, PATH Interns, first- and third-place winners of the Latino Health Summit, People Choice Poster Awards.

  • Student interns at a Nutrition Community Event

    BOUNCE and PATH interns

    BOUNCE and PATH interns sharing information in the community about a new BOUNCE health initiative, Together for a Healthy Life – a diabetes prevention program starting in April 2024. For more information, contact bounce@central.uh.edu.

  • Image of Norma Olvera receiving award

    Revolution Award

    Norma Olvera received the Revolution Award from the Association for the Recognition of Hidden Talent for her work promoting a healthy lifestyle among the Hispanic community in Houston through the BOUNCE programs.

  • Image of BOUNCE team at Pilgrim Academy

    BOUNCE into the STEM Zone at Pilgrim Academy

    BOUNCE implemented an 8-week after-school program titled Community Youth Experts: Movement, Occupations, Voice, Nutrition (CYEMOVN) to integrate STEM within the context of nutrition and physical activity among 35 Latinx and African American middle school students.

  • Instructor with student sitting in a circle

    BOUNCE Summer 2023 Wellness Program

    BOUNCE implemented a 4-week summer program to promote healthy eating and cooking, positive self-esteem, and exercise in youth and their families through activities such as gardening, cooking demonstrations, and various sports.

  • Latino Health Summit Video Contest

    Fernanda Bazan, 2021 Eye to the Future intern, won first place in a vaccine-hesitant video contest sponsored by the Hispanic Health Coalition during the 2021 Latino Health Summit.

  • Abriendo Caminos Workshop Has Started

    Our virtual Abriendo Caminos program about nutrition and physical activity has started. Families enjoyed learning about portions and moving their bodies through amazing exercises.

  • Dr. Olvera attends a fireside chat with Surgeon General Jerome Adams at the Health Museum

    Dr. Olvera, director of the BOUNCE Healthy Lifestyle Program, attends a fireside chat with Surgeon General Jerome Adams and Harris County Public Health’s Umair A. Shah to discuss the ongoing pandemic and the future of public health.

  • Foods to Help You Strengthen Your Defenses During the Pandemic

    Many foods help your body defend itself against disease. View the handout to learn more about their benefits.

    English | Spanish

  • Doctoral Student, Taylor Alexander Presentation

    Eye to the Future is an internship program at the University of Houston’s BOUNCE Program offered to Latinx undergraduate students. Taylor shared the program's impact on nutrition knowledge and career readiness.

  • The BOUNCE Recipe Book

    View the BOUNCE Recipe Book for healthy, family-friendly meals. These quick recipes are easy to make while working or schooling from home.

    English | Spanish

  • Dr. Olvera at Chicago Food and Family Conference

    Dr. Olvera, director of the BOUNCE Healthy Lifestyle Program, shared strategies for developing nutrition education programs for Latinos at the Food and Family Conference.

  • Eye to the Future Awarded Grant

    Dr. Olvera has received an award from the USDA to mentor the next generation of childhood educators through Eye to the Future.

  • Nutrition Ambassador Program in the Community

    The BOUNCE Program reached over 200 adults and children with the Nutrition Ambassador Program. Participants learned about MyPlate and how to reduce added sugar and fat in their meals.

  • Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk

    Families were encouraged to “Get Up Get Moving” at BOUNCE’s annual 5K Fun Run. Funds raised allow families to participate in BOUNCE community programs.

  • highlight-1

    BOUNCE Summer Wellness

    The award-winning BOUNCE Summer Wellness program promotes healthy eating, physical activity, and body positivity among African American and Hispanic youth and their families.

Established in 2005, BOUNCE Summer Wellness is an award-winning healthy lifestyle summer program designed to promote healthy eating, regular physical activity and body positivity among low-income Hispanic and African American children.

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Accolades

BOUNCE has been recognized at the local, state, and national levels for its work. Some highlights:

  • In summer 2017, Norma Olvera, the founder and executive director of BOUNCE, was selected to participate in a prestigious fellowship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture based on her work in the health field.
  • In 2010, BOUNCE won an honorable mention award for cardiovascular health promotion by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
  • In 2006, BOUNCE was acknowledged as “One of the Best Nutrition and Physical Activity Practices” by the Texas Public Health Association. 

BOUNCE in the Community - BOUNCE made an impact in the community by participating in the Get Up! Get Moving! event, successfully engaging attendees with dynamic activities that promoted health and wellness.

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