The effects of fast food advertising on young and impressionable kids are widely debated. With so many other threats for parents to worry about, like drugs, pedophiles and violence, fast food ads may seem relatively harmless. Yet companies are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in this advertising for good reason, because it has proven to be very effective in getting kids hooked on junk food at a young age.

Recently, more than 550 health professionals signed an open letter to McDonald's imploring the fast food giant to stop marketing their junk food to kids. Many major newspapers across the US ran full-page ads featuring this letter. While the letter doesn't ask the company to stop selling junk food to kids, it does ask them to stop aggressively advertising these products to children But will it make a difference? Critics argue that while McDonald's may be junk food, it's also a personal choice and parents are ultimately responsible.

Fast food restaurants have gone on a health craze over the last five years with a range of fast food health options on their menus that are meant to give them a better image and deflect criticism. However, according to research from Griffith University's Louise Atkinson, these healthier options are not being embraced by fast food customers.

In a survey of 1,000 customers, very few showed any interest in making healthy choices, with only 2.5% actually choosing these options. It's likely that people who go to fast food chains are not going there for health food, and these customers are sending a clear message to the fast food chains through their choices. The low uptake of the healthier menu options means they are not a big income generator for the restaurants, so it is questionable how long they will continue to be available.

While most athletes would eat a diet of pasta, bananas and whole foods in preparation for a marathon, one Illinois athlete is taking a different approach. Joe D'Amico, known as the 'McRunner', has decided to train for the Los Angeles Marathon by eating nothing but a McDonald's 'fast food health' diet for 30 days prior to the event.

His wife thinks he is crazy for doing it, but that didn't stop Mr. D'Amico, who simply wanted to combine two of his greatest passions – running and McDonald's. He is aiming to beat a personal best of 2 hours 36 minutes, which should put him among the top 50 finishers in the race. His day usually begins with a breakfast of hot cakes, an Egg McMuffin and an orange juice, followed by a grilled chicken sandwich and large Coca-Cola for lunch. Dinner is usually a hamburger, fries and cookies, but he does take a daily multivitamin as well, and drinks tap water and energy gel on the road.