BOUNCE (Behavior Opportunities Uniting Nutrition Counseling and Exercise) organized a 5K Fun Run/Walk as part of the Bayou Greenway Day celebration sponsored by the City of Houston Mayor’s Office. The 5k promoted outdoor physical activity in parks located along Brays Bayou, in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.  Before the 5K Fun Run/Walk, participants stretched and danced Zumba to warm up.  BOUNCE also provided nutrition education to Hispanic mothers in Spanish and English.

"UH COE is glad to promote physical activity and healthy eating in the Hispanic community in Houston.  Approximately, 100 families participated in this event,"  said Norma Olvera, BOUNCE Executive Director.  "Many parents and their children ranging from babies (in strollers) to teens participated in a 5K for the first time. This event was also an opportunity for 100 UH main campus, UH downtown, and HISD high school students to complete service learning hours."

Volunteers expressed the effect the 5K Fun Run/Walk had on them and the community. "Working with BOUNCE helped me learn how important it is to engage with the community and the impact we have," said Nancy Martinez, Health Undergraduate Student. "It's not just on the health of these young girls, but on their confidence and their school work”

BOUNCE 5K Fun Run/Walk sponsors and collaborators included; the Houston Parks Board, Aetna Foundation, University of Houston Main Campus and Downtown, the Student Nutrition Organization, and multiple Houston area high schools. 

Please enjoy a presentation of photos from the event!

About BOUNCE

Dr. Norma Olvera

BOUNCE is an award winning health and nutritional program that takes standard nutrition and physical activity intervention to the next level by fostering the mother-child partnership; heeding the cultural and gender specific behaviors that shape perceptions about food, exercise, and body image; and promoting the healthy lifestyle as fun.  Olvera explains, “The idea behind the program is to teach young girls about positive body image and healthy food and exercise choices.”

Contact information

Ph: 832-842-5921/ email: bouncelite@yahoo.com/ Website: http://bounce.uh.edu/

About Norma Olvera

Olvera is an Associate Professor of Health Education in the Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences. Her research interests include:

• Childhood obesity determinants
• Parental, acculturation, psychological and environmental factors associated with eating practices and physical activity levels in minority and immigrant children and families.
• Community and Family-Based Interventions
• Design, implementation, and evaluation of school and community healthy lifestyle interventions designed for minority and immigrant population