KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Watch that waistline. If waist measurements exceed 90cm for men and 80cm for women, you may be on the road to obesity -- and diabetes.

Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity (Maso) president Professor Dr Ismail Mohd Noor said being extremely overweight and diabetic was bad news for Malaysians.

"The problem can be nipped in the bud by going for pre-diabetic screening," he said, adding that the association was carrying out free screening in selected clinics until November to combat obesity.

He said 60 per cent of obese people were diabetics, a percentage that revealed a definite link between the two.

In the third National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2006, the prevalence of abnormal obesity among Malaysian adults was higher than in most other Asian countries with the exception of those in South Asia.

Data also showed that diabetes among Malaysians almost doubled from 8.3 per cent in 1996 to 14.9 per cent a decade later.

"There are different ways to reduce weight in the market today which offer a quick-fix.

"But Maso advocates a healthy lifestyle as part of a comprehensive approach in weight management programme," Dr Ismail said.

Those with any of the following conditions should be screened for diabetes:

- Above 35 years of age;

- Body Mass Index of more than 23;

- History of diabetes during pregnancy;

- Family history of diabetes; and

- High blood pressure.

The list of participating clinics are available at the Maso website at www.maso.org.my or call 1-800-88- 8336.