I've always held a politically incorrect belief that most people are physically attracted to those that are only one point above or below them on the IEEE 0-10 scale of percieved physical attractiveness. You seldom see hottie women who are 8s or 9s dating men who are merely cute 6s; they know they can do better, and hold out for an equally attractive hunk. With so many men pursuing them, it doesn't take much effort to hook up with one.
The only place where overweight guys land thin, attractive women is on television sitcoms. I feel for this guy, but I think his whining is just as bad as those of some self-proclaimed BBWs who complain that "sizeist" thin men don't see them as more than potential friends. If the guy is a 3.5 or 4, he'll have better luck with other 4s.