Obesity is a major health problem in the world. It has been on the rise in the United States and many other countries. It also gives rise to other problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Now, a new study has disclosed that even a moderate weight reduction can be helpful for obese individuals to keep away from various cardiovascular diseases.

Doctors at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston showed that reducing weight virtually lowers the risk of having metabolic syndrome.

HOUSTON, Dec. 4 - A Houston woman whose Texas A&M University ring was stolen from her car more than a year ago said the ring was mysteriously returned to her in the mail.

Betty Ghio, 52, said the ring was stolen -- along with an iPod, a cell phone, purses, three dozen new golf balls and about $100 -- while her PT Cruiser was parked outside of a bank in June 2007, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday.

"I was just shattered, coming out to my car and seeing this," Ghio said. "It was only about $1,800 in goods that were stolen. But my A&M ring, you couldn't put a value on that."

HOUSTON, Dec. 4 - A Houston family lost a cat while camping at Yellowstone National Park and thought the kitty was dead, until it turned up alive and thinner three months later.

Philip Wattenbarger said Fluffy the cat went missing while he was camping with his wife, Elizabeth Ayers, and their three daughters at the northeastern U. S. park in August, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday.

Wattenbarger said the family searched the area for days but could find no sign of Fluffy. He said they eventually concluded that the family cat would not be able to survive for long in woods, what with the bears, wolves and other predators.

HOUSTON, Dec. 1 - The Houston Comets, who won the WNBA's first four championships (1997-2000), will close down this week.

The Comets had been owned by the WNBA since the middle of last season, but because a buyer couldn't be found the league made the decision to put the team out of business.

The Comets were originally owned by Leslie Alexander, owner of the Houston Rockets. He sold the team to a group headed by businessman Hilton Koch last year, but the league then took over the franchise.

HOUSTON, Dec. 1 - The Houston Astros have come to an agreement on a deal with free-agent starting pitcher Mike Hampton pending a physical.

MLB. com reported Monday that Hampton, 36, will travel to Houston to be examined.

Hampton had some of the best years of his career with Houston. A 22-win season in 1999 saw him finish second to Randy Johnson in the Cy Young Award voting. After six years with Houston, Hampton joined the Mets for one season.

HOUSTON, Dec. 1 -- The Houston Astros have come to an agreement on a deal with free agent starting pitcher Mike Hampton pending a physical.

MLB. com reported Monday that Hampton, 36, will travel to Houston to be examined.

Hampton had some of the best years of his career with Houston. A 22-win season in 1999 saw him finish second to Randy Johnson in the Cy Young Award voting. After six years with Houston, Hampton joined the Mets for one season.