KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) -- The number of overweight or obese people in Malaysia has doubled in the last decade, and the country now has more fat people than any other nation in Southeast Asia, a report has said.

The results of a nation-wide survey conducted by doctors in May and June found that 54 percent of the adult population was either obese or overweight, compared to 24.1 percent ten years ago, the New Straits Times reported on Friday.

The doctors, who said it was the first formal study to show obesity was rising in Malaysia, attributed the change to sedentary lifestyles, overeating and a fondness for fast food and carbonated drinks.

Survey coordinator and nephrologist Zaki Morad warned deaths by diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes would rise without adjustments in lifestyle.

"These figures will rise if Malaysians do not change their lifestyle," she was quoted as saying.

The study showed that 48 percent of men and 62 percent of women were overweight or obese in Malaysia.

This is in contrast to countries such as neighboring Singapore, where 24 percent of men and 48 percent of women are overweight or obese, said the newspaper.

Doctors said Malaysians were falling ill in greater numbers from obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

"Our study also shows that 13.5 percent of the adult population is diabetic, compared with only 8.3 percent in 1996," said Robaayah Zambahari, a cardiologist from the government-linked National Heart Institute.

The World Health Organization has said obesity affects more than one billion people globally and called for urgent action to stem the worldwide epidemic.