Atlanta -- Increasing obesity was one major contributing factor to a 6 percent rise in diabetes among U.S. adults in 1999, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC researchers said 18.9 percent of American adults were considered obese in 1999, a 5.6 increase from the previous year and a 57 percent jump from 1991.

"This dramatic new evidence signals the unfolding of an epidemic in the United States," said Jeffrey Koplan, M.D., director of the CDC. "With obesity on the rise, we can expect diabetes rates to increase sharply as a result. If these dangerous trends continue at the current rates, the impact on our nation's health and medical care costs in future years will be overwhelming."

Increases in diabetes were noted in every category of the study, including sex, age, race, education and smoking status as well as weight.