BOUNCE
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Behavior Opportunities 
uniting Nutrition,
Coaching & Exercise  

 
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Building Healthy Families
and Communities

BOUNCE (Behavior Opportunities Uniting Nutrition Coaching & Exercise) is a community outreach and research initiative within the University of Houston College of Education focused on reducing obesity-related diseases in underserved communities across Houston. Through evidence-based research and culturally responsive programs, we work alongside families, schools and community partners to promote healthy lifestyles and sustainable change.

 

 

BOUNCE News

  • An adolescent in bed with a plate of food on the table next to him

    New Publication Examines Anxiety, Sleep, and Binge Eating in Hispanic and African American/Black Early Adolescents

    Dr. Norma Olvera, alongside collaborators from the University of Houston and Rice University, published new findings demonstrating that anxiety and sleep quality play a critical role in binge-eating behaviors among Hispanic and African American/Black adolescents, helping inform future prevention and treatment strategies.

     

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  • Two professors infront of a banner

    2026 UH President's Circle Award

    Dr. Norma Olvera and Dr. Tracey Ledoux were honored with another UH President's Circle Award for 2026. Securing a $3 million NIH grant to assess the efficacy of an obesity prevention program for toddlers. Their recognition highlights their impactful research contributions and continued excellence in the field.

  • Intern presenting a poster on equity for children of color

    Championing Health Equity for Children of Color

    Nobonita Saha presented the poster with clarity and depth, highlighting the urgent need to advance health equity for children of color.  Saha engaged the audience with thoughtful discussion, underscoring the implications for public health practice and future research. Her presentation sparked meaningful conversations around actionable steps to reduce disparities and champion healthier futures for all children.

  • 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.

  • dd

    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.

  • f

    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.

  • Zoom meeting with participants

    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 and two other people

    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.

  • Graphic of healthy food

    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

  • Intern giving a presentation

    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.

  • Two teenagers cooking

    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 presenting

    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.

  • A group of interns

    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.

  • An intern at an event

    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.

  • A group of people at a race

    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.

  • A child

    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.

 

 

BOUNCE IN THE COMMUNITY

BOUNCE made a meaningful impact at a health fair event by actively engaging attendees through dynamic activities that promoted healthy and active living. 

 

 

 

Three BOUNCE staff and intern members hugging

 

FOR FAMILIES

BOUNCE offers healthy eating tips and cooking demonstrations, fitness sessions, and psychoeducational sessions that help families eat healthier, move more, enhance mental health, and grow stronger together.

 

FOR RESEARCHERS

BOUNCE research endeavors advance knowledge on preventing and treating obesity and improving health outcomes in underserved populations.

 

FOR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

By supporting BOUNCE community-based health initiatives, you promote evidence-based comprehensive health programs that advocate for healthier families and communities and strengthen community connections.

 

 

 

"I loved the BOUNCE program. Now my mom and I go grocery shopping together. 

We make sure to read food labels to select better healthy food choices. 

We walk together three times a week after school. I feel like my mother now understands me.
It is very hard to lose weight without the support of your family."

- Program Participant

 

A group of seniors exercising.

 
 
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