In the past few weeks, we’ve been inundated with rumors or speculation about celebrities being pregnant.

First it was Nicole Richie, then Carrie Underwood and Scarlett Johansson.  Any hint of a baby bump and the pregnancy rumors start flying.

Shouldn’t we give these celebs a break?  Maybe they had a big lunch!  Maybe they are retaining water… hell, maybe they’re on their period for God’s sake!

Often, a celeb is simply photographed at the wrong angle. Or like Scarlett Johansson or Nicole Richie, as they were caught in their workout clothes, where the movement can show too much.  Heck, even a gust of wind can make a shirt bulge out!

Carrie Underwood said, “when I wear something a little baggier, I’m like, nope, people are going to think I’m hiding something.”

A celebrity could be followed and photographed for 20 minutes but somehow, there is ONE photo that shows a celeb as a normal, human being.

Spotted out for a run with Owen Wilson and new beau Sean Penn recently, Scarlett Johansson showed just a hint of a belly, leading to some online rumors about a baby bump. A HINT of a belly.

A little belly and automatically someone is pregnant?  Geez, if THEY look pregnant, then what the heck does the average woman look like???

Why do we do this to women especially?  You hardly see articles about male actors putting on some weight.

When we turn every few pounds gained or lost by a celebrity into a story, it really does do damage that can be attached to issues of body image.