I have a question (an actual question, not meant to be a nudge towards any conclusion): is there any research that suggests your level of body fat may be set (i

I have a question (an actual question, not meant to be a nudge towards any conclusion): is there any research that suggests your level of body fat may be set (i.e. almost like an annealing process) by your level of body fat in childhood? I know there has been research that suggests that body fat plays a very large role in your endocrine system -- therefore causing positive feedback -- but does it do the same for any other systems that might affect metabolism?