Department of Kinesiology
Visiting Scholar
Dr. Norma Olvera, Associate Professor at the University of Houston, is a 2009 Towson University Department of Kinesiology Visiting Scholar. She will be meeting with faculty and students on Monday, March 23, 2009 throughout the day discussing impact of obesity as a disease on minority youth and treatment strategies to deal with this disease.
The College of Health Professions and the College of Graduate Studies and Research will host the Graduate Lecture Series on the evening of Monday, March 23, 2009. F or more information, contact the Department of Kinesiology, 410-704-2376.
- Presenter: Dr. Norma Olvera
- Title: Childhood Obesity: Fighting America's Growing Epidemic
- Location: Potomac Lounge in the University Union
- Time: Reception begins at 6:30 pm, Lecture begins at7 p.m.
Dr. Olvera received her Ph.D., in Developmental Psychology with an emphasis on child health and obesity prevention from the University Houston in 1992. For the past years Dr. Olvera has been involved in two NIH-funded community-based healthy lifestyle interventions for Hispanic families. She has developed comprehensive lifestyle curricula for Hispanic parents and their children. These age and culturally appropriate curricula combine nutrition education, physical activity, social support, body image, and self-esteem. Also Dr. Olvera has been the recipient of an NIH RO3 and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to study determinants of physical activity and perceptions of environmental factors associated with physical activity.
Dr. Olvera and her research team of registered dietitians, exercise physiologists and psychology students developed the BOUNCE summer and after school programs, a community-based research-oriented approach, to promote healthy behavior habits in Hispanic and African American mothers and preadolescent girls. Dr. Olvera's research interests include: a) assessing cultural, familial, and environmental factors associated with eating and physical activity behaviors in Hispanic Families; and b) developing, implementing and evaluating healthy lifestyle interventions for minority families. Dr. Olvera has several scientific articles published in Child Development and Obesity Research. In addition, Dr. Olvera has received funding from the National Health Institutes, American Cancer Society, Saint Luke's Episcopal Health Charities Foundation, Oliver Foundation, and University of Houston, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Department of Kinesiology
Towson Center, Room 200
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Phone: 410-704-2376
Fax: 410-704-3912
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