Perhaps I should go back and read all the posts, but I just wanted to add to what those have already said about the relationship between obesity and cognitive function (i.e. memory, perception, etc). A recent study has show that there is a link between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimers disease. Type 2 happens to be the subset of diabetes related to obesity...
However, I think whether or not you're obese should be a personal health issue. Mainstream culture perpetuates the ideal that skinny (or near skinny) is the prototype. But skinny isn't necessarily healthy. A skinny person is susceptible to the same risk of acquiring high blood pressure, diabetes, and other (preventative) illnesses as a bigger person, especially if they are suffering from an eating disorder.
As for being aesthetically pleasing, that's relative. Shoot, some women (and men for that matter) could stand to gain a few pounds in my opinion. Not everyone follows the "status quo" when it comes to looks. Just because you wouldn't date someone who you perceive to be fat, doesn't mean someone else won't. To each his own.
But kudos to everyone who's lost weight. It's a struggle. I've been there myself and know that it takes a lot of faith and dedication to make it work
